Santander UK has reported that fraudsters have stolen around £160,000 this year through “Hi Dad” impersonation scams, with threats increasing as Father’s Day approaches on Sunday, June 21. These scams typically involve criminals posing as a child, using messages or AI-generated phone calls to request money or payments from unsuspecting parents.
According to Santander’s quarterly ScamTracker report, authorised push payment (APP) scams have seen a surge, with men alone handing over approximately £100,000 daily in the first half of the year. Investment and purchase scams have been the most costly by value so far.
Chris Ainsley, Santander UK’s Head of Fraud Risk Management, emphasized the risks parents face during busy schedules: “As a parent myself, I understand how easy it is to get distracted juggling work, family, and social life. Fraudsters exploit these moments, knowing people might not pause to verify urgent requests.”
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He added, “Whether it’s a seemingly too-good-to-be-true investment or an unexpected call or message from what appears to be your child asking for money, we urge everyone to stay alert and protect themselves ahead of Father’s Day.”