Scammers are clever, and anyone can be caught out. The good news is that most scams follow the same patterns. If you know the warning signs, and you know it’s always fine to say no and hang up, you can protect yourself and the people you care about.
The golden rule: Stop, Challenge, Protect
This advice comes from Take Five, the anti-fraud campaign led by UK Finance:
- Stop. Take a moment before you give out money or information.
- Challenge. Could it be fake? It’s fine to refuse, reject or ignore any request.
- Protect. If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank straight away and report it.
Remember: your bank and the police will never ask for your PIN, never send a courier to collect your card or cash, and never ask you to help with an “investigation” (advice from Age UK).
Common scams and the warning signs
Someone pretending to be your bank or the police. They may say your account is at risk and ask you to move money, hand your card to a courier, or withdraw cash. The number on your screen can be faked. Hang up, wait at least 10 to 15 minutes or use a different phone, then call your bank on a number you know is real, such as the one on your card. You can also call 159 to reach most UK banks safely.
Fake HMRC calls or texts. A message about a tax refund or unpaid tax, asking for bank details. HMRC never asks for bank details this way and never texts about tax rebates.
Doorstep callers and rogue traders. Someone says your roof or driveway needs urgent work, or claims to be from a utility company but can’t show proper ID. Follow Age UK’s “Stop, Lock, Chain and Check”, never agree to work at the door, and get written quotes from traders you choose. You can agree a password with your energy and water companies so you know their staff are genuine.
“Hi Mum” or “Hi Dad” texts. A message from an unknown number saying it’s your son or daughter on a new phone, then asking for money. Don’t reply to that message. Call your family member on the number you already have saved.
Parcel delivery texts. A text about a missed delivery with a link to click. Don’t click it. Forward it to 7726.
Computer or “tech support” calls. A caller says your computer has a virus and asks you to install something or give them access. Genuine companies don’t call out of the blue like this. Hang up.
Romance scams. Someone you’ve met online who quickly says they love you, avoids video calls or meeting, and then asks for money or gift cards. Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
Investment and pension scams. Unexpected contact offering returns that sound too good to be true, “guaranteed” better pension returns, or pressure to decide quickly. Check the firm on the FCA’s website before doing anything.
Lottery and prize letters. You’ve “won” a prize for a competition you never entered, but must pay a fee first. A genuine lottery never asks you to pay to collect a prize.
Who to contact
| What happened | What to do |
|---|---|
| You think you’ve lost money | Call your bank straight away. Use 159 or the number on your card. |
| Report a fraud (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) | Report Fraud: reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040 (this replaced Action Fraud) |
| Report a fraud (Scotland) | Police Scotland on 101 |
| You’re in danger | 999 |
| A scam text | Forward it to 7726 |
| A scam email | Forward it to [email protected] |
| Free, confidential advice | Age UK Advice Line 0800 678 1602 · Citizens Advice consumer helpline (England and Wales) 0808 223 1133, Welsh language 0808 223 1144 · Scotland: Advice Direct Scotland (consumeradvice.scot) 0808 164 6000 |
| Support after a crime (England and Wales) | Victim Support 08 08 16 89 111 |
If you’ve been scammed, you’re not alone and it’s not your fault. If you were tricked into making a bank transfer from a UK account, your bank must usually refund you, up to £85,000, as long as you report it within 13 months. Contact your bank as soon as you can.
Learn more with Tutwoo
Tutwoo’s Later Life Learning courses explain online, phone, postal and doorstep scams in plain, patient steps, with an AI tutor you can ask anything. The first lesson of every course is free.
Sources
- Report Fraud replaces Action Fraud (GOV.UK)
- Report Fraud: reporting a fraud
- Take Five
- Stop Scams UK: 159
- NCSC: report a scam text
- NCSC: report a scam email
- HMRC: reporting fraudulent emails and texts
- Age UK: phone scams
- Age UK: doorstep scams
- Age UK: postal scams
- FCA: investment scams
- FCA: pension scams
- Stop! Think Fraud: reporting
- Citizens Advice: consumer helpline
- Citizens Advice Wales: consumer helpline
- Advice Direct Scotland
- Victim Support
- PSR: APP fraud reimbursement
Tutwoo is independent and not affiliated with the police, Take Five, Age UK or any organisation named here. Details checked on official websites on 31 October 2026.
© 2026 Tutwoo UK Limited. This guide was created in-house by Tutwoo and is our original work. It is for your own learning only: please do not copy, share, record or resell it.