On this page
Overlay
Fraud guides
Be in the know and better protect yourself
Fake telephone calls
Fraudsters call often pretending to be from the bank and encourage you to give your personal details, such as PIN and mobile banking.
Information Message
Fake emails
Fraudsters send emails pretending to be from a trusted organisation but they’re asking you to give away personal information.
Information Message
Text message fraud
Fraudsters send texts pretending to be from a trusted organisation telling you a payment hasn’t been made to get your information.
Information Message
BBC Be Scam Safe
- 01
Don’t respond to any unexpected call, email, or text, without checking first. If it’s out of the blue, check it’s for you
- If it’s a call, hang up, find a number you can trust, and call back on that
- If it’s your bank, you can call back using the number on the back of your card
- Or, if concerned, dial 159 to be connected securely to most UK banks
- 02
Stop and get a second opinion if you’re being forced to make a decision, or if you feel rushed
- No legitimate organisation will object to you asking a friend, family member, or colleague for an opinion. Nor will it object to you saying no, or delaying your decision
- 03
Report every scam
- Even if it didn’t work on you, reporting helps other people
- Forward suspicious texts to 88355 , and emails to phishing@rbs.co.uk
- Report fraud directly to companies involved, so they can alert other customers
For more information go to www.bbc.co.uk/bescamsafe.
See how convincing fraudsters can be
Watch our video showing some examples of fraud and scams and what to look out for.
Identity fraud
Fraudsters get hold of enough personal information about you in order to impersonate you.
Information Message
Social engineering
Fraudsters manipulate people so that they hand over personal information such as, passwords and banking details.
Information Message
Sim swapping
Fraudsters gather enough information about you and convince mobile networks to move your mobile number to their device, giving them access to personal passcodes.
Information Message
ATM & cash machine fraud
Fraudsters use cash machines to steal your data and even your credit or debit card to make fraudulent transactions
Information Message
Investment fraud
Fraudsters often make promises of great returns when investing in their schemes, which often don’t exist or are worthless.
Information Message
When offers are too good to be true
Purchase scams are when fraudsters target you with tempting offers on the latest phones and designer goods. These ads come across as very convincing and ask you to pay for items that will never arrive.
Romance scams
Romance scams occur when a criminal uses a fake online profile to form a relationship with you. Often the relationship is built up over weeks or months.
Information Message
Cryptocurrency scams
Scammers are capitalising on the growing attention cryptocurrency is attracting, by offering fake investments that don’t really exist or aren’t worth the money.
Information Message
Cost of living scams
The inflation rate has been pushed to its highest level in four decades and it’s more important now than ever to be vigilant of possible fraud and scams.
Information Message
Impersonation scams
Criminals impersonating the bank or police is one of the most common scams we see. It can have a devastating impact on victims so it’s vital you can spot these before it’s too late.
Information Message
Pension scams
Targeting those who have access to their pension. People are encouraged to move their funds with the promise of better returns. These funds are then stolen.
Information Message
Get-rich-quick and refund scams
Fraudsters advertise services online to show how you can get quick cash for cancelling a direct debit. However, these claims are false, and you’ll be left out of pocket.
Information Message
Sign up to our Keeping Your Money Safe events
Learn more about how to stay safe from fraud and scams by joining one of our online customer events. Our experts will take you through everything you need to know, and can answer any of your questions.