Scams are everywhere. They target every age group, every income level, and every level of technical savvy. In the UK, Action Fraud reports hundreds of thousands of scam incidents each year, with losses running into billions of pounds. The tactics evolve constantly, but the core principle stays the same: scammers want your money, your personal information, or both.
This guide covers the most common scams you will encounter, the red flags that give them away, and exactly what to do if you are targeted.
Common Scams Targeting UK Consumers
Romance Scams
Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating sites, social media, or messaging apps. They build an emotional connection over weeks or months, then fabricate a crisis that requires money. Common stories include medical emergencies, travel costs to visit you, or business problems.
How to spot them:
- They quickly profess deep feelings
- They avoid video calls or meeting in person
- Their photos look too polished or model-like
- They ask for money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
- Stories are consistently dramatic and urgent
Investment Scams
These promise high returns with little or no risk. Scammers use professional-looking websites, fake testimonials, and pressure tactics to get you to invest. Once you hand over money, it disappears.
How to spot them:
- Guaranteed returns (no investment is guaranteed)
- Pressure to invest quickly
- Unregulated firms not on the FCA register
- Unsolicited offers via social media or messaging
- Complex or secretive strategies you cannot verify
Impersonation Scams
Scammers impersonate trusted organisations to steal your details or money. Common targets include:
Bank impersonation: A caller claims to be from your bank’s fraud department. They say your account has been compromised and ask you to transfer money to a “safe account” or share your banking details.
HMRC impersonation: Emails, texts, or calls claiming you owe tax and must pay immediately or face arrest. HMRC never contacts you this way for payments.
Police impersonation: A caller claims to be a police officer investigating fraud. They ask you to withdraw cash or buy goods as “evidence” and hand it over.
Phishing Emails
Fake emails designed to look like they come from legitimate companies. They contain links to fake websites that steal your login credentials or install malware.
How to spot them:
- Poor grammar and spelling
- Generic greetings (“Dear Customer”)
- Hovering over links shows a different URL
- Sender email address does not match the company domain
- Urgent requests to “verify your account”
Text Scams (Smishing)
Similar to phishing but via SMS. Common examples include:
- “Your bank has detected suspicious activity. Click here to secure your account.”
- “Your delivery cannot be completed. Pay the fee here.”
- “You have won a prize. Claim it now.”
Phone Scams (Vishing)
Scammers call claiming to be from your bank, HMRC, or tech support. They may use caller ID spoofing to show a legitimate phone number. They pressure you to share personal information or make payments.
Netflix, Amazon, and Streaming Scams
Fake emails or texts pretending to be from Netflix, Amazon, or other services. They claim your subscription has expired, payment failed, or account is locked. The link takes you to a fake login page.
Parcel Delivery Scams
Texts or emails claiming you have a package waiting but need to pay a small fee or confirm delivery details. Royal Mail and delivery companies never ask for payment via text or email links.
Crypto Scams
Fake cryptocurrency exchanges, “pump and dump” schemes, romance scammers who eventually introduce you to a “great investment opportunity,” and social media accounts promising guaranteed returns. Once you invest, you cannot withdraw.
Pension Scams
Scammers contact people approaching or in retirement, offering to unlock or transfer pension funds. They may promise high returns, early access, or free pension reviews. These are illegal and can result in the loss of your entire pension pot.
Red Flags: Warning Signs
Watch for these patterns across all scam types:
- Urgency: “Act now or lose your money.” Scammers pressure you to act before you can think or verify.
- Too good to be true: Guaranteed high returns, free money, prizes you never entered to win.
- Requests for remote access: Anyone asking to install software on your device to “fix” a problem is a scammer.
- Gift cards: No legitimate company or government agency asks for payment via gift cards.
- Bank transfers: Requests to transfer money to a “safe account” or to someone you have never met.
- Secrecy: “Don’t tell anyone about this” or “This is confidential.”
- Emotional pressure: Scammers play on fear, love, greed, or sympathy.
- Inconsistencies: Details that don’t add up, stories that change, or information that contradicts what you know.
What to Do If You Are Targeted
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Hang up the phone. If someone calls claiming to be from your bank, HMRC, or any other organisation, hang up. Call the organisation back using the number on their official website or your bank card.
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Delete suspicious messages. Do not click links in unexpected texts or emails. Do not reply.
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Do not share personal information. Never give your PIN, password, or one-time code to anyone who contacts you.
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Check with your bank. If you are unsure whether a communication is genuine, call your bank using the number on the back of your card.
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Report the scam. Reporting helps protect others and may help you recover losses.
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Tell someone. Scammers rely on shame and embarrassment. Talk to a friend, family member, or a charity like Age UK or Citizens Advice.
How to Report Scams
Action Fraud
The UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre.
- Phone: 0300 123 2040
- Website: actionfraud.police.uk
- Available: Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
FCA ScamSmart
The Financial Conduct Authority’s investment scam checking tool.
- Website: scamsmart.fca.org.uk
- Check if an investment firm is authorised
- Get advice on what to do if you have been scammed
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command)
For reporting online child sexual abuse or grooming.
- Website: ceop.police.uk/safety-centre
Other Reporting Channels
- Your bank: Report fraud through your banking app or by calling the fraud department.
- Police: For immediate danger or ongoing crime, call 999.
- Report National Insurance number misuse: Call HMRC on 0300 200 3300.
- Email scams: Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
- Text scams: Forward texts to 7726 (SPAM).
Getting Your Money Back
If you have lost money to a scam, you may be able to recover it.
Bank Voluntary Reimbursement
Under the Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) Code, participating banks and building societies may voluntarily reimburse victims of authorised push payment (APP) scams. This applies when you were tricked into sending money to a scammer. Check with your bank whether they are a signatory and what their policy is.
Section 75 Protection
If you paid by credit card for goods or services costing between £100 and £30,000, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act makes your card provider jointly liable with the retailer. This means you can claim from your credit card company if things go wrong. This does not apply to bank transfers, debit cards, or credit card payments under £100.
Chargeback
If you paid by debit card or credit card (for amounts under £100), you may be able to use chargeback to reverse the transaction. Chargeback is not a legal right but is a voluntary scheme operated by card networks. Contact your bank to initiate a chargeback claim.
Insurance
Some home insurance policies include cover for fraud or scams. Check your policy documents or call your insurer.
Protecting Yourself Going Forward
- Verify independently. Always contact organisations using official numbers, not the ones provided in the communication.
- Use strong, unique passwords. Consider a password manager.
- Enable two-factor authentication on all accounts that offer it.
- Keep software updated to protect against malware.
- Be sceptical. If something sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
- Talk about it. Discuss suspicious communications with someone you trust before acting.