Most mums expect breakfast in bed and flowers on Sunday but some may also get an unexpected text message that could cost them thousands of dollars.

Consumer Action Law Centre chief executive Stephanie Tonkin said many parents were being caught out by scams, some of which are run by sophisticated multinational companies that have researched behavioural norms.

“They know that our guards are down around things like our children and that’s where the ‘hey mum’ scam comes in,” she said.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission recently reported the four major banks had reimbursed only 2 to 5 per cent of customer scam losses.

Glynis Tudor parted with her $9000 long service leave payment after getting a text message from someone claiming to be her daughter.

“If you are a mum, you will do anything for your kids,” she said. “I had just retired and gave them all my long-service leave.”

After receiving a “hey mum” message from someone claiming to be her daughter, Tudor asked: which daughter?

“They wrote back, ‘your eldest’ and I said, ‘my littlest duck’, and they sent a duck emoji – which is what we do – so I was completely sucked in by then,” Tudor said.

After going home, another message arrived while she was distracted cooking dinner. It said: “Mum I have to pay these bills tonight, can you do it for me, and I’ll sort it out with you when my phone is up and running again?”