Worried About Scams?
Scamming cost people in the UK more than £1 Billion every year. It is now the most common crime in the UK. The information and advice available from the links below can help you spot and avoid the latest scams targeting your money.
You don't need to review all the links below. There is considerable overlap between the advice given. But you may find you prefer one over another. If you don't do anything else, try the test provided by TAKE FIVE linked below, and watch the demonstration of voice cloning at the bottom of the page.
Remember, it might be a scam if:
You don't need to review all the links below. There is considerable overlap between the advice given. But you may find you prefer one over another. If you don't do anything else, try the test provided by TAKE FIVE linked below, and watch the demonstration of voice cloning at the bottom of the page.
Remember, it might be a scam if:
- You receive an email or message from a friend or from a company (Bank, BT etc.) asking you to do something. How are you sure it is genuine?
- There is a link to click to get to a shop or bank in an email, Facebook page, whatsApp (or other) message. The link may just be to a spoof website.
- It seems too good to be true – for example, a holiday that’s much cheaper than you’d expect
- Someone you don’t know contacts you unexpectedly
- You suspect you’re not dealing with a real company – for example, if there’s no postal address
- You’ve been asked to transfer money quickly
- You've been asked to pay in an unusual way – for example, by John Lewis or iTunes vouchers or through a transfer service like MoneyGram or Western Union
- You’ve been asked to give away personal information like passwords or PINs
- You haven't had written confirmation of what's been agreed
Sources of Advice
BBC has a number of good programmes covering fraud. Highly recommended is "Five Ways They Get You". In five 15 minute radio/podcast programmes, Shari Vahl, Radio 4 'You and Yours' reporter, looks at 5 ways scammers try and get your money with real and very sad examples. Clear here to go to the BBC page with an overview of the programmes and a link to programmes on BBC Sounds.
Or go straight to BBC Sounds by clicking here.
Or go straight to BBC Sounds by clicking here.
The government together with other agencies are running the National Campaign Against Fraud and their website is very helpful and clear. The main page has lots of good advice and also links to Fraud support agencies.
Click here to go to the Stop! Think Fraud website
Click here to go to the Stop! Think Fraud website
Which? is a not-for profit organisation with the objective of being the UK’s consumer champion. Some of their services are only available for members, but their advice on scamming is free.
They provide advice to keep you safe from scams. On their website, their experts provide the latest help, news and advice including how to protect yourself from being scammed and what to do if you've been scammed, or have come across a scam. You can Sign up for free scam alert emails.
Click here to go to the main Which? Scam page
They provide advice to keep you safe from scams. On their website, their experts provide the latest help, news and advice including how to protect yourself from being scammed and what to do if you've been scammed, or have come across a scam. You can Sign up for free scam alert emails.
Click here to go to the main Which? Scam page
I hope all our members are aware of Age UK, the charity aimed at helping older people in all sorts of ways. Age UK provide excellent information to help you spot and avoid scams targeting your money including phone scams and cold calls, postal scams, doorstep scams, email scams, pension scams and investment scams. There is an excellent page on what to do if you think you have become the victim of a scam and also have a helpline to call.
Click here to go to the main ageUK Scam page.
Click here to go to the main ageUK Scam page.
And a few more..
Take Five is a national campaign offering advice to help prevent fraud particularly where criminals impersonate trusted organisations. Their website has an excellent quiz to test if you are "scam savvy". Test yourself here.
Click here to go to the main Take Five Scam page.
Citizens Advice also provide a very good page of straight forward advice, with links to advice for specific circumstances including how to be absolutely sure you are really talking to your Bank (stop, hang up, call 159)
Click here to go to the main Citizens Advice Scam page.
Lloyds Bank have a good set of guidelines for protection in various situations. Click here.
Take Five is a national campaign offering advice to help prevent fraud particularly where criminals impersonate trusted organisations. Their website has an excellent quiz to test if you are "scam savvy". Test yourself here.
Click here to go to the main Take Five Scam page.
Citizens Advice also provide a very good page of straight forward advice, with links to advice for specific circumstances including how to be absolutely sure you are really talking to your Bank (stop, hang up, call 159)
Click here to go to the main Citizens Advice Scam page.
Lloyds Bank have a good set of guidelines for protection in various situations. Click here.
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A Demonstration of Voice Cloning
Click on the YouTube video to see how easy it has become for criminals to clone anyone's voice - particularly now that many of us have friends and family who can be found talking on social media. |
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