Fraud awareness

Stay safe from common scams: What to look out for and how to protect yourself

Fraud cost the UK £1.17 billion in 2023 (UK Finance), and as scammers continually develop new tactics, protecting yourself from scams has never been more essential. Here’s a guide on common scams to watch out for, along with practical tips to safeguard your information and finances.

 

Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams

APP scams, also known as bank transfer scams, happen when scammers trick you into sending money to a fraudster by pretending to be someone you trust, such as a family member or someone from your bank/ building society.

What to look out for:

 • Unexpected payment requests from someone claiming to be a trusted contact, this could be via text, email or phone.

 • Urgent messaging that pressures you to act quickly.

 • Requests for payment to a new or unknown account.

Protection tips:

 • Pause and verify: Reach out to the person or company directly using official contact information. The Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign offers guidance on how to pause and assess whether a payment is genuine.

 • Use known accounts only: Avoid sending payments to unverified or unfamiliar accounts.

 • Be wary of urgency: Scammers often try to create a false sense of urgency to prompt quick action.

Find out more on APP scams and the new rules to reimburse victims.

 

Romance scams

Romance scams target people online, where scammers usually set up fake profiles and then build relationships and trust before asking you for money. They often create elaborate stories to gain sympathy, such as needing funds for emergencies or travel expenses.

What to look out for:

 • An online acquaintance declares strong feelings quickly.

 • Requests to move conversations off public platforms to private messages.

 • Appeals for money due to "urgent" situations like medical needs or travel costs.

Protection tips:

 • Seek a second opinion: Talk to friends or family before sending money.

 • Verify profile information: Upload their photos to a reverse image search tool, such as TinEye, to check if their photos are genuine.

 • Trust your instincts: If someone you haven’t met in person asks for financial help, be cautious.

 • Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect fraud, contact your Financial Service provider immediately and Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040 or actionfraud.police.uk

Click here to find out more

 

Identity theft and account takeover fraud

Fraudsters steal your personal information (such as name, date of birth, address, pin code and passwords) and use it to access or open accounts in your name. They gather details through phishing emails, text, phone calls, or by hacking online profiles.

What to look out for:

 • Unexpected password change requests or unfamiliar transactions.

 • Contact from your bank about suspicious account activity.

 • Bills or statements for accounts you didn’t open.

Protection tips:

 • Set strong passwords: Use unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication.

 • Be sceptical of unsolicited requests: Don’t share personal details over email or phone without verification. Financial service providers or government departments will never ask for personal information via text or email, or request account details over the phone.

 • Monitor your accounts: Regularly check bank statements and credit reports for unusual activity.

 • Keep your information safe: Ensure personal or sensitive information is kept secure and not disclosed.

 

Mortgage fraud

Mortgage fraud involves false or misleading information in mortgage applications, often by identity theft or by overstating financials such as income, in order to obtain a mortgage. Criminals may also manipulate property deeds to take control of a property.

What to look out for:

 • Notifications of financial activity you didn’t initiate, like credit applications.

 • Sudden changes in the ownership status of your property.

 • Unusual entries on your credit report.

Protection tips:

 • Regularly monitor property information: Use services like the Land Registry to track changes to property deeds.

 • Be cautious with personal data: Store financial and personal records securely, and shred sensitive documents before disposal.

 • Verify lender information: Use reliable resources to confirm lender or mortgage intermediary legitimacy.

 

Advance payment scams

Also known as “Advance Fee Scams,” these involve scammers requesting an upfront payment for a service, prize or loan that doesn't exist. Common examples include fake lottery wins, loans, inheritances, job offers or delivery of a good you've apparently ordered.

What to look out for:

 • Unexpected messages offering a prize, loan, or opportunity that seems too good to be true.

 • Requests for an upfront “insurance fee,” “tax,” or other payment to access the promised prize or service.

 • Claims that the fee is refundable but still requires immediate payment.

Protection tips:

 • Verify the source: Contact the organisation directly using official details on their verified website.

 • Take your time: Legitimate opportunities won’t pressure you to act immediately.

 • Avoid untraceable payments: Steer clear of payments that are difficult to track, like wire transfers or cryptocurrency.

 

General tips for staying safe from scams

 • Stay informed: Follow reliable resources for updates on new scam tactics.

 • Use caution with links: Avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails or texts; instead, go to the official website directly.

 • Report suspicious activity: If you think you’ve been targeted, contact your bank right away and report the scam to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.

 • Optimise your online security: Use strong and unique passwords, turn on two-step verification, keep your software and apps up to date with the latest version and use antivirus software.

By staying vigilant, trusting your instincts, and sharing these tips with friends and family, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to scams and help keep everyone safer from fraud.

 

For your reference
You'll find more useful information of things to be aware of below.

Action Fraud
Take five over tea
The little book of big scams
Take a stand against scams
Reporting scams infographic