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My Power: Money & Debt

Scams Prevention: Don't Get Played

Fraud cost UK consumers £1.2 billion last year. Scammers are sophisticated, relentless, and target everyone. Here's how to protect yourself — and fight back.

The Most Common Scams in the UK

Scammers evolve constantly, but the core tactics remain the same: urgency ("act now or lose your account"), authority ("this is HMRC/your bank/the police"), and fear ("you owe money/you'll be arrested").

If a message makes you feel panicked and pressured to act immediately — that's the scam talking. Legitimate organisations give you time to verify. Scammers don't.

The golden rule: Never give personal or financial information to someone who contacted you. If it might be genuine, hang up, find the real number independently, and call them yourself.

Red Flags: It's a Scam If...

  • They create urgency — "Your account will be closed in 24 hours" or "Act now to avoid prosecution."
  • They ask you to move money to a "safe account" — banks never do this. Ever.
  • They want payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer — these are untraceable by design.
  • They ask for your PIN, full password, or remote access to your computer.
  • The offer seems too good to be true — investment returns of 20%+, prize draws you didn't enter, unexpected refunds.

Types of Scam to Watch For

Phishing & Smishing

Fake emails (phishing) and texts (smishing) that look like they're from trusted organisations — banks, HMRC, Royal Mail, Amazon. They contain links to fake websites designed to steal your login details. Always go directly to the website by typing the address yourself.

Phone Scams (Vishing)

Callers pretending to be your bank, the police, or HMRC. They may know your name and partial details (from data breaches). Caller ID can be faked. Hang up, wait 5 minutes (to clear the line on landlines), then call the real number.

Authorised Push Payment

The fastest-growing fraud type: you're tricked into sending money yourself (e.g., fake invoice, romance fraud, investment scam). Banks that signed the CRM Code should reimburse you if you weren't grossly negligent. New PSR rules from 2024 strengthen this.

Getting Your Money Back

If you've been scammed, act immediately:

  1. Contact your bank within minutes if possible. The faster you act, the more likely the money can be recovered.
  2. If you paid by credit card, use Section 75 — the card company is jointly liable and must refund you.
  3. If you paid by debit card, request a chargeback from your bank.
  4. If you were tricked into making a bank transfer (APP fraud), your bank should reimburse you under the CRM Code — insist on it.
  5. Report to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) — this creates a crime reference number you'll need for claims.

Protecting Vulnerable People

Elderly relatives and people with cognitive impairments are disproportionately targeted. Help them by:

  • Registering them with the Telephone Preference Service (free — reduces cold calls).
  • Setting up a call blocker on their landline (some are free from Trading Standards).
  • Adding them to the Mail Preference Service to reduce junk mail scams.
  • Having regular conversations about current scam tactics — normalise checking with family before acting.

Essential Resources

Scam Protection Checklist

Share this with everyone you care about. Awareness is the best defence.

Protect Yourself From Scams
Essential steps to spot, avoid, and report fraud.

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