⚠️ Scams & fraud
Spot scams before they cost you, and know exactly what to do if you have already been caught out.
- QR code scams ('quishing'): parking meters, menus and fake fines
Fake QR codes on parking meters, fake fines and dodgy emails are a fast-growing scam. Here's how 'quishing' works and how to check before you scan and pay.
- How to check if a website is legit: a 7-point checklist
Not sure if a shop or company online is real? Here are seven quick checks to tell if a website is legit before you hand over your money or your details.
- How to cope after being scammed (you're not stupid, and you're not alone)
The emotional side of being scammed is rarely talked about. Here's how to handle the anger and shame, deal with the money stress, and find support in the UK.
- How to report a scam in the UK (and what happens next)
Where to report a scam in the UK: your bank, Action Fraud, 7726 and more. A plain guide to who to contact for each type of scam and what each one does.
- How to spot a phishing email (with the red flags that give it away)
Phishing emails are getting harder to spot. Here are the red flags that give them away, what to do if one lands, and how to report it in the UK.
- Is that 'missed delivery' text a scam? Royal Mail, DPD and Evri fakes
Got a text about a missed parcel or a small redelivery fee? Here's how to tell if it's a scam, what the fake messages look like, and what to do next.
- How to protect your parents and grandparents from scams
A practical, no-nagging guide to helping older relatives stay safe from scams: the conversation to have, the settings to set up, and the UK services that help.
- What to do if you've been scammed (UK): a calm step-by-step guide
Scammed in the UK? Here's exactly what to do in the first hour, the first day and the first week to limit the damage, report it and protect yourself.
- Is that call from your 'bank' real? Number spoofing and 'safe account' scams
Scammers pretend to be your bank's fraud team and pressure you to move money to a 'safe account'. Here's how the scam works, why caller ID lies, and the one rule that beats it.
- Is that 'HMRC tax refund' text or email a scam?
Got a message saying you're owed a tax refund, or that you owe HMRC and must pay now? Here's how to tell if it's a scam and what to do about it.
- Romance scams: how they work and the warning signs
Romance scammers play a long game to win your trust, then ask for money. Here are the warning signs, how to check, and what to do if it's happening to you or someone you love.
- Selling online? The fake-payment scams to watch for
Fake payment confirmations, overpayments and 'friends and family' tricks catch sellers on Facebook Marketplace, Vinted and eBay. Here's how they work and how to sell safely.