WhatsApp scams aimed at the family

Image: Teleporto.

The message that frightens people is short. “Mum, I dropped my phone, this is my new number, I need money today.” Or a text that looks like the bank, with a code, or like the tax office, with a fine. Or a grandchild who has been arrested and a lawyer who wants MB Way.

Do not reply on that chat. Call the person on the number you already had, the one saved last year. If they do not answer, call another relative. A real child in trouble can wait five minutes while you check. A thief cannot. Never read a code out loud, and never type one into a page that arrived by message. MB Way codes and bank codes are explained, from the safe side, in Paying with MB Way.

The same caution applies to a link that says the SNS or Finanças will close your number tonight. Those sites are sns24.gov.pt and portaldasfinancas.gov.pt. You type them yourself. You do not arrive through a text.

Checked 24 October 2026. This is not medical, legal or financial advice. The official page wins if it disagrees.