🛡️ Staying Safe from Scams: What You Need to Know (UK Advice)

(Patient Information – UK)

Scammers are getting more convincing. They can fake phone numbers, emails, and websites, and may claim to be from your bank, GP, or even a friend. This guide will help you spot scams, protect yourself, and know where to get help.

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⚠️ How to Spot a Scam

Common red flags:

• “Too good to be true” offers or prizes

• Urgent messages demanding quick action

• Unexpected contact from banks, services, or government departments

• Requests for money, PINs, passwords, or personal details

• Messages or calls pretending to be from someone you know

🔴 Scammers can fake names, phone numbers and websites. Never trust what you see on the screen alone.

❗ Never respond to prize messages if you didn’t enter a competition.

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☎️ What If Someone Calls You?

If they ask, “Can I confirm your name?” — stop and think:
Why are they calling you if they don’t already know who you are?

• Genuine organisations (e.g. HMRC, DWP) may limit what they say at first — but they should know something about you.

• Ask them to confirm your National Insurance number, address, or reference number — not the other way around.

• If unsure, hang up and call back using an official number from a trusted source (e.g. your bank card or gov.uk).

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🕵️‍♀️ Common Scam: The Fake Bank Text

• You get a text that looks like it’s from your bank, warning of fraud.

• A second message follows — from a different number — asking you to call or click to “secure your account.”

❌ This is a scam.
✅ Always call your bank using the number on the back of your bank card, not the one in the message.

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🔍 How to Check Links Safely

• On a computer: Hover your mouse over a link to see where it really goes (at the bottom of your browser).

• On a mobile phone: Press and hold a link (don’t tap) to preview the full address.

• If the web address looks strange, don’t click.

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🌐 Official UK Bank Websites

Always log in via the official site or app. These are the real domains for major UK banks:

⚠️ Don’t trust websites with strange endings or hyphens like -secure, -verify, or .net instead of .co.uk.

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🔐 How to Stay Safe

• Use strong passwords (different for each service)

• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)

• Keep your devices updated

• Don’t click on suspicious links or attachments

• Never move money or give personal info because of a text, call or email

• Always verify who you’re talking to, especially if they contacted you first

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✅ Scam Safety Checklist

• ☐ Strong passwords + 2FA

• ☐ Hover or long-press to check web links

• ☐ Ask for info the caller should already know

• ☐ Use official websites and phone numbers

• ☐ Never act under pressure

• ☐ Report scams to protect yourself and others

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📞 Where to Report Scams and Get Help

Here are the most trusted UK sources for scam prevention, support and reporting:

1. Action Fraud (UK police service)

• 🌐 actionfraud.police.uk

• ☎️ 0300 123 2040

• Report all types of fraud and scams (England, Wales, NI)

2. National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

• 🌐 ncsc.gov.uk

• 📩 Forward scam emails to: [email protected]

• Official UK government advice on phishing, online safety and cybercrime

3. Citizens Advice – Scams Action

• 🌐 citizensadvice.org.uk/scams

• ☎️ Scams Action Helpline: 0808 250 5050 (England) or 0800 043 0281 (Scotland)

• Friendly help and guidance if you’re unsure or worried

4. Take Five to Stop Fraud (UK Finance)

• 🌐 takefive-stopfraud.org.uk

• Government-backed safety tips, posters, and downloads

5. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

• 🌐 fca.org.uk/scamsmart

• Check if a financial firm is genuine, and avoid investment fraud

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🧠 Final Advice

• Scammers rely on panic, pressure, and trust.

• If something doesn’t feel right — pause, check, and speak to someone you trust.

• You’re not being rude by questioning it — you’re protecting yourself.

• If you get caught out don’t feel ashamed, most people do at some point. Report and learn.