Scams and fraud
The latest official warnings, and how to spot the scams that catch people most often.
- Warnings, last 90 days
- 5
- Common scams explained
- 8
Common scams and how to spot them
Fake delivery and toll texts
A text says a parcel is held or a toll is unpaid, with a link to pay a small fee.
Warning signs
- A small fee and a deadline, with a link to pay.
- A sender number or web address that does not belong to the courier or toll agency.
- You were not expecting a parcel, or you do not use that toll road.
What to do
- Do not tap the link. Check by typing the courier or toll site address yourself.
- Forward the text to 7726 (works in the US and UK), then delete it.
- If you paid, call your bank or card issuer straight away.
Calls from "your bank" or the government
Someone claims to be your bank, the police or a tax office, and says your money is at risk.
Warning signs
- Pressure to act now, or to keep the call secret.
- A request to move money to a "safe account", buy gift cards or pay in crypto.
- Being asked for a one-time code, PIN or full password.
What to do
- Hang up. Call the number on the back of your card or on the official website.
- Banks and governments never ask you to move money to keep it safe.
- Never read out a one-time code to someone who called you.
Tech support scams
A pop-up or call says your computer is infected and offers to fix it remotely.
Warning signs
- A loud pop-up with a phone number, saying your device is locked.
- A caller who says they are from Microsoft, Apple or your internet provider.
- A request to install remote access software.
What to do
- Close the browser. If it will not close, restart the computer.
- Never let a stranger connect to your device or pay them for repairs.
- If you gave access, disconnect from the internet, change passwords and run a security scan.
Investment and crypto scams
A new contact, often met online, shows you big returns on a trading app and invites you in.
Warning signs
- Guaranteed or unusually high returns.
- An app or website you have never heard of, recommended by someone you met online.
- You can add money easily, but withdrawals need "fees" or "taxes" first.
What to do
- Check the firm with your financial regulator before investing.
- Stop paying. Fees to unlock a withdrawal are part of the scam.
- Beware of "recovery" services offering to get your money back for a fee.
Romance scams
An online partner builds trust over weeks, then needs money for an emergency.
Warning signs
- They will not video call or meet in person.
- A sudden crisis: medical bills, travel costs, a customs fee.
- They steer you to investing or crypto.
What to do
- Talk to a friend or family member before sending money.
- Run a reverse image search on their photos.
- Never send money, gift cards or crypto to someone you have not met.
Job and "task" scams
An unexpected job offer pays you to like videos or rate products, then asks you to deposit money.
Warning signs
- A job offer you did not apply for, by text or WhatsApp.
- Easy pay for simple online tasks.
- You must pay in, often in crypto, to unlock earnings.
What to do
- Real employers do not ask you to pay to work.
- Stop and do not send more money to "upgrade" your account.
- Report the number or account to the platform.
Fake shops and marketplace scams
A deal that is too good to be true, from a new website or a marketplace seller.
Warning signs
- Prices far below other shops, and a new or misspelled web address.
- Payment only by bank transfer, gift card or crypto.
- A seller who wants to move the conversation off the platform.
What to do
- Pay by credit card or a protected checkout, never by bank transfer.
- Search the shop name with "scam" or "reviews" before buying.
- If you paid by card, ask your card issuer about a chargeback.
Account takeover and code scams
Someone asks you to forward a verification code "sent by mistake", or a login page looks slightly off.
Warning signs
- A message, often from a friend's hacked account, asking for a code.
- A login page reached from an email or text link.
- Alerts about sign-ins or password resets you did not request.
What to do
- Never share a code. It is the key to your account.
- Turn on two-step verification and use a password manager.
- Check if your email appears in known breaches on Have I Been Pwned.
Where to report a scam
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