Ahead of Father’s Day, Santander UK issues a warning about “Hi Dad” impersonation scams targeting parents. The fraud involves scammers posing as a loved one or relative—using messages that reference “Hi Dad”—to try to trick victims into sending money or sharing personal or payment details. Multiple outlets report that Santander is encouraging people to take extra care with unexpected messages and requests, particularly during busy periods when families may be distracted by planning celebrations.
The reports also highlight the scale of losses linked to this type of scam. The Manchester Evening News and The Independent say that around £160,000 has been reported stolen this year as a result of “Hi Dad” scams. Other outlets echo Santander’s broader safety message, urging parents and potential targets to verify the identity of anyone contacting them unexpectedly and to remain cautious before acting.
The warning comes just before Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21, with Santander urging the public to follow safe steps—such as thinking twice and checking whether a request is legitimate—before responding to suspicious communications.
