Latest Scams

WhatsApp scams

WhatsApp is great for keeping up with friends and family, but they’re not the only ones who might send you a message…

Scammers are targeting people on social media sites like TikTok, X, Instagram and Facebook and encouraging them to continue the conversation on WhatsApp. Once there, they try to convince people to share personal details.

In a recent example, a scammer responded to genuine customer complaints on X with a WhatsApp number to contact for help. Acting as “customer support” they then persuaded people to share their log on details and even transfer money.

How to stay safe

The best way to stay safe is to stop and think twice. Remember, first direct will never use WhatsApp as a communication channel (most banks don't).

We’ll also never ask you to share confidential information like passwords or your PIN, or to transfer money to another account.

If you think it’s a WhatsApp scam:

don’t reply
don’t click on any links
don't open any attachments.

If you need to contact us, please use call the number on the back of your card. Alternatively, only use phone numbers and links from our official website or a letter.

Job scams

“Recruiting now! Easy work! £300-£800 per day!”

Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? That’s because it is. Job scams are on the rise and in a tough job market, it can be hard to turn down such a good offer, which is exactly what scammers want.

It starts with an SMS, WhatsApp message or social media DM from a “recruitment company” advertising temporary work for an eye-catching amount of money. The scammer often sends a small gesture of good will payment of about £4-6.

In a recent example, a scammer then asked people to like TikTok videos and review products on eBay. They then asked people to send money to different scam accounts, before getting them to invest on a number of crypto platforms – all advertised as “tasks”. People were told they needed to “unlock their earnings” by sending further payments.

How to stay safe

The best way to stay safe is to stop and think: could this be a scam? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you think you’ve received a job scam message:

don’t reply
don’t click on any links
don't open any attachments.

SIM swap fraud

What’s SIM swap fraud?

SIM swapping is where a scammer takes control of your mobile number by convincing your network provider to transfer your service to a SIM they own.

It starts with a scammer gathering personal details about you, using phishing, smishing, social engineering, previous data breaches or reading your social media posts. Using the information, the scammer then pretends to be you and is able to pass any security checks from your network provider.

Finally the scammer tells your network provider to route your number to their SIM card, giving them access to your incoming calls and texts. This means they’ll also get any one-time passcodes, giving them access to your financial and social media accounts.

How to spot a SIM swap scam

You may be the victim of a SIM swap scam if...

your phone is no longer connecting
you can’t make calls or send texts
you’re notified of activity that wasn’t you
you’re unable to access your accounts
you notice transactions you didn’t make.

If you think your SIM card has been swapped you need to call your network provider immediately. You also need to let your bank know as soon as possible, so they can help secure your accounts.

You should also report it to Action Fraud Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first].

How to stay safe

To protect yourself from SIM swap fraud you should...

check what additional security your network provider offers
avoid oversharing online, especially on social media
be aware of email (phishing) and text scams (smishing)
turn on 2-step verification on your accounts
use a strong password with a mixture of characters and symbols
try not to use the same password for everything
keep your device’s software up to date.

End of tax year scams

As the end of the tax year approaches (5 April), it might not be the tax man who comes knocking.

Scammers are posing as HMRC and sending convincing emails and texts. They may try to trick you into handing over your account or card details, by claiming you’ve received a tax rebate. Or they may send you fake bank details to get you to send your tax payments to them instead of HMRC.

These scams can be hard to spot if you’re expecting to hear from HMRC.

How to stay safe

The best way to stay safe is to not let your guard down. If you get an email or text from HMRC stop and think: Could it be a scam? And remember, HMRC will never ask you to share confidential information like passwords, one-time passcodes (OTPs), or your PIN. You should also never share your HMRC login details.

If you think you’ve received a tax scam:

don’t reply
don’t click on any links
don't open any attachments.

If you need to contact HMRC, only use phone numbers, links or web addresses from official websites or letters.

Romance scams

Met a new partner or friend online? Are they unable to meet in person? If they ask you to send them money, it could be a fraudster using a fake identity to scam you.

How romance scams work

Criminals set up fake profiles on dating sites or social media, and build ‘relationships’ with victims who think they’re talking to a real person. They build trust, often over months of chatting and even phone calls. There’s usually a believable reason they can’t meet in person. Then they play on your emotions to trick you into sending them money. It’s easy to be fooled.

Spot the signs of romance scams

A scammer you’ve only met online might ask you for money and say things like:

they are abroad and need money for travel to visit you
they have a sick relative who needs medical care
they have a business problem and need a loan to tide them over
they’re waiting for an inheritance but need funds to access their money

If someone you’re talking to online asks for money, stop and think. Check in with family or friends you know in person for a second opinion.

How to stay safe

Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person. They might not be who they say they are.

What to do if you think you’ve been a victim

Call us using the number on the back of your card if you think you’ve been the victim of a romance scam.

Cryptocurrency scams

Cryptocurrency – a digital asset used in place of regular money – is becoming ever more popular and scammers are using this rise in interest to their advantage.

To trade professionally you need to use a cryptocurrency exchange, which requires you to verify your ID and open an account or ‘wallet’.

How to protect yourself

As this way of trading money isn’t regulated, it can be difficult to tell if you’re sending money to a genuine cryptocurrency account or a scammer. Therefore it's important to exercise a high level of caution if you decide to get involved.

Don’t assume it’s real - Professional-looking websites, adverts or social media posts don’t always mean that an investment opportunity is genuine. Scammers can use the names of well-known brands or individuals to make their scams appear legitimate.

Don’t be rushed or pressured - A genuine bank or financial organisation won’t force you to part with your money on the spot. Always be wary if you’re pressured to invest quickly or promised returns that sound too good to be true.

Stay in control - Avoid or ignore uninvited investment offers, especially those over cold calls. If you’re thinking about making an investment, get independent advice and thoroughly research the company first.

Top tips to keep your money safe

To reduce the risk of falling victim to a cryptocurrency scam, follow these guidelines...

do your research and learn how investment and trading work
remember, genuine cryptocurrency exchanges won’t ask you to download software to give them remote access to your devices or finances
avoid investments advertised using cold calls, social media or WhatsApp
don’t assume a professional-looking website, advert or portfolio is real
check the firm is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and that it doesn’t show on the FCA’s Cloned Firms list
don’t rush into deciding to invest – stop, take time and review
be alert to promised returns that sound too good to be true
don’t give anyone access to your digital wallet
consider speaking to a financial advisor before investing.

Seen something suspicious?

To report a scam or fraudulent activity, get in touch on our usual number. You’ll find this on the back of your first direct card.

Courier scams

What’s a courier scam?

This scam involves a scammer pretending to be a courier to steal your money or get their hands on your personal and security information.

They may call you first claiming to be someone from your bank, a police officer or a fraud investigator, before asking you to do something really unusual. This could be withdrawing large amounts of cash and handing it over for ‘safe keeping’ or agreeing to have a courier collect your bank card.

They may also call saying they’re from your bank and that ‘scammers’ have taken over your account and that your money needs to be moved into a ‘safe account’.

Selling gold online?

A recent version of this scam is now targeting people selling gold online, with sellers being offered a good deal and told to send their gold via a courier.

However, it’s not a genuine offer and the seller doesn’t receive a penny, while the scammer makes off with their gold.

If you’re selling gold online make sure you do your research before agreeing a sale. Always use a trusted, reputable company – you can check the details online or on a public record.

How to spot the signs

Warning signs that you may be at risk of courier fraud can include...

you’re asked for personal information unexpectedly
you’re told to give a courier your bank card or cash
you’re asked to share your PIN or security details
you’re offered a deal that seems too good to be true
you’re urged to act fast.

How to stay safe

To reduce your risk of falling victim to a courier scam, follow these guidelines...

stop and think. Does the request sound normal?
remember, your bank would never use a courier to collect your bank card
your bank would also never ask for your PIN or security details
always check a company’s details online or on a public record
always use a trusted dealer if you’re selling gold online.

Gold purchasing scams

If someone asks you to buy gold and hand it to them for safekeeping, alarm bells should start ringing – as it’s a textbook scam.

Fraudsters are tricking people into buying gold, other precious metals or jewellery then physically handing it over to criminals.

They may pose as police, bank employees or other government officials (or all of these together) to make you believe your money is not safe in the bank.

What to look out for

The exact details of each scam can vary. They may involve more than one scammer posing as different organisations. They may tell you:

you have been a victim of fraud within the bank and shouldn’t trust them
you are helping a police investigation
your money is counterfeit
you need to buy gold or jewellery to stay safe.

Scammers will make you believe they are helping you to trick you into giving them gold. They might ask you to buy it from a reputable supplier.

The police and government agencies will never ask you to buy gold.

Anyone who does this is trying to trick you.

How to stay safe

Stop and think. If you’re asked to buy gold to keep safe, it’s a scam. Legitimate fraud investigations won’t ask you to do this.

If someone contacts you or asks you to buy or hand over gold or jewellery, hang up immediately.

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, call the number on the back of your card.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday - Online shopping scams

Beware of online shopping scams this month! As Black Friday deals clog up your inbox, scammers are able to create fake retailer websites and browser links that mimic our favourite stores.

These scams can allow criminals to collect financial details and use credit cards fraudulently. They may also be able to access personal details and passwords.

What to look out for:

While grabbing a bargain may be tempting, keep these potential warning signs in mind when shopping online, especially during Black Friday or Cyber Monday...

an online offer looks too good to be true
when you enter your details or reach the checkout, there is no padlock in the website address bar (a padlock is a sign that your connection is secure and the information shared is encrypted BUT it does not necessarily mean the website is genuine)
the retailer insists on immediate payment, or payment by bank transfer
you can’t find any contact details or shipping policies on the website.

How to protect yourself:

To reduce your risk of falling victim to an online shopping scam, follow these guidelines...

only buy from retailers and brands you know and trust
avoid clicking on links from social media adverts – type the website name directly into the address bar
look for a padlock symbol in the address bar for a secure connection
always update your computer/phone/tablet operating software and install anti-virus software from a reputable company
pay with a credit card or payment option that gives you some protection
always ‘log off’ or ‘sign out’ of online banking or shopping accounts.

Parking charges scams

Fake parking charges scams are on the rise, with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) warning to watch out for texts claiming you need to pay them a ‘parking penalty charge’.

How to spot the signs

The text might:

say you’ll be banned from driving
threaten court if you don’t pay on time
warn you’ll be charged more if you don’t reply
contain a link to enter your licence plate number.

You’ll also likely get follow up ‘reminders’ the next day with further threats.

How to stay safe

If you’re contacted and think it might be a text scam:

don’t reply
don’t click on any links
don’t open any attachments.

Instead you should report it to the National Cyber Security Centre.

If you’ve responded to a scam text or been tricked into sharing personal details with a scammer, you can take immediate steps to protect yourself.

If you’ve lost money or shared personal details when replying to a text, report it to Action Fraud Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] online or over the phone on 0300 123 2040 in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

In Scotland you should report fraud by calling Police Non Emergency Services on 101.

PIN re-entry scams

Eating out? Don’t get bit in the pocket

Here’s everything you need to know about PIN re-entry scams.

What’s a PIN re-entry scam?

If you’re out and about at restaurants, airports and tourist hotspots, watch out for a new scam targeting distracted diners and travellers. The PIN re-entry scam involves a typical-looking point-of-sale (POS) machine and is especially effective with low-cost items, making it easier to go unnoticed.

How does it start?

You want to pay for something relatively inexpensive with your debit card, like a sandwich or a drink. The scammer (often posing as an employee) hands you a device to pay and asks you to enter your PIN. You enter it, assuming it’s a normal transaction, but the scammer tells you the transaction’s failed and asks you to try your PIN again.

How does it end?

When the scammer hands you the device back, it isn’t on the PIN entry screen. It’s asking for a transaction amount. So when you enter your PIN again (say it’s 1234) you actually enter £1234.00.

By entering your PIN a second time you’re confirming a fraudulent transaction for a much larger amount.

How to avoid PIN re-entry scams

To reduce your risk of falling victim to a PIN re-entry scam, follow these guidelines...

always check the transaction amount before entering your PIN
confirm the amount you’re paying is what you’re expecting
if a transaction ‘fails’ always ask for a receipt to confirm this
be cautious if you’re rushed or asked to make a payment somewhere crowded
contact your bank or credit card company immediately if you suspect you’ve been defrauded.

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, call the number on the back of your first direct card immediately. You should also report it to Action Fraud Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first].

Conference call scams

This particular impersonation scam involves a 'conference call' between you, your bank and the scammer.

If that sounds a little complicated, here's how they do it:

Step 1 - Fraudsters contact you claiming to be from first direct bank saying you have fraud on your account and need to be verified. They are trying to trick you into letting them take over your banking app so they can set up a payment or apply for a loan online before calling us.

Step 2 - The fraudster transfers you to the Contact Centre, while staying on a conference call with you.

Step 3 - You are then verified by our Contact Centre, either by giving your one-time password or by voice ID. This is the part the scammer needs you for - to give the information they don't have access to.

Step 4 - Once verification is complete, the fraudster mutes or cuts you off and continues the call, pretending to be you.

Step 5 - The fraudster then asks to authorise a payment that has flagged for a check. They also have full access to your account and can make whatever payments they like.

How to stay safe

To reduce your risk of falling victim to a conference call scam, keep these guidelines in mind...

we'll rarely contact you out of the blue - so simply getting a call from us that you weren't expecting should ring alarm
remember, we will never ask you for your PIN, password or Secure Key Codes, nor will we ask you to send us cash, cards or cheques, or to transfer money into a different account
if the person you're speaking to asks for personal details and keeps putting you on hold, hang up straight away
make sure you're actually speaking to us by ending the conversation and contacting us again through an official channel
be aware that scammers can keep your phone line open even after you’ve hung up on them - so if you do end the call, wait at least 15 minutes before ringing back, or use a different phone

Remember, anyone can get scammed

Over 19 million in the UK fell victim to scams last year, losing around £1700 on average. It really could happen to anyone, especially if you're in a hurry and your guard is down or you're being pressured.

So be careful and stay safe.

Holiday scams

The booking scam

Social media is full of last-minute holiday deals at this time of year, so you need to be careful who you book with. If you’ve spotted a deal you like but the travel company only accepts payment by bank transfer, chances are it could be a scam.

Scammers often impersonate travel companies, creating fake adverts, emails and websites, which can look very convincing. Some websites may even be clones of real travel companies.

By paying for a holiday by bank transfer, it makes it much harder for you to get your money back.

The cancellation scam

If you’ve booked a holiday with a reputable company, you still need to be wary of cancellation scams. This is where scammers use a fake flight or hotel booking cancellation as a way to trick holidaymakers.

They may send emails posing as your travel company and ask you to claim a refund by going to a fake website. Or they may pretend to be from your hotel and ask you to cancel and rebook with them directly to ‘save money or fees’.

You may also get a call from a ‘refund agent’. These scammers may promise a quick refund if you hand over your bank details, sometimes asking for upfront payments disguised as fees.

How to stay safe

To reduce your risk of falling victim to a holiday scam, follow these guidelines...

be careful of deals that come directly to you
always research the travel company
check if the travel company is protected by ABTA or ATOL by searching the ABTA website Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first] or by entering the name and reference number on the ATOL database Opens an overlay [Will show a security message first].

Call divert scams

The handy phone feature turned scammer tool.

Firstly, what’s call divert?

Call divert is a feature through your phone company, which diverts calls to almost any phone. You may be charged a fee for the service.

dial *21 to divert calls
*61 to divert any missed calls
*62 to divert calls when your phone is off
*67 to divert calls when your phone is engaged.

However, scammers are turning this useful tool into a trick.

How does a call divert scam work?

Scammers may call or text pretending to be from your bank and urge you to confirm information by dialling a code. This will be a call diversion code followed by a phone number and the # key.

For example, you may be asked to dial *21+447XXXXXXXXX#.

Dialling these numbers won’t confirm any information with us. Instead this will get your phone company to divert your calls to the number after the *21, which will be the scammer’s number. They’ll then be able to answer all your calls.

Have you dialled a code?

If you think you’ve been a victim of a call divert scam, call ##002# to cancel your active call diversions. You’ll receive a notification when it’s been successfully cancelled.

You can also contact us any time, day or night, using the number on the back of your first direct debit card. You might want to get in touch with your phone company too.

How to stay safe

To reduce your risk of falling victim to a call divert scam, follow these guidelines...

watch out for unexpected messages that ask you to dial a code
be wary of any message encouraging you to take action out of the blue
remember, no bank will ask for your PIN, password, or One-Time Passcode.

Impersonation scams

From your bank to your utility company and even the emergency services, scammers know the organisations you’re likely to trust. By using a range of persuasion tactics and approaches, they can take advantage of this to try to trick you out of your account information and steal your money.

How to stay safe

To reduce your risk of falling victim to an impersonation scam, follow these guidelines...

scammers will try to put you under pressure, making things seem urgent or even dangerous to convince you to act. But don’t panic. Take a breath and try to assess the situation calmly before doing anything
make sure that you’re speaking to the company you think you are by ending the conversation and contacting them again through an official channel
remember, we’ll never ask you for your PIN, password or Secure Key Code. Nor will we pressure you to send us cash, cards or cheques, or to transfer money into a different account
avoid logging into any accounts using public WiFi connections or on public devices
never let anyone gain remote access to your phone or computer
if something doesn’t feel right, stop interacting straight away
if you’re not sure it’s us calling, hang up and call us back on the number displayed on the back of your first direct card.

Phone scams

Ring, ring! Someone’s calling – but it might not be who you think it is.

Phone scams, sometimes called “vishing”, are when criminals contact you directly, pretending to be your bank or another company you trust to gain access to your account. They’ve got all sorts of tricks up their sleeve to convince you into giving away your details – so here’s what to look out for.

How to stay safe

To reduce your risk of falling victim to a phone scam, keep the following guidelines in mind...

we’ll rarely contact you out of the blue – so simply getting a call from us that you weren’t expecting should ring alarm bells
remember, we’ll never ask you for your PIN, password or Secure Key Code. Nor will we pressure you to send us cash, cards or cheques, or to transfer money into a different account
if the person you’re speaking to asks for personal details, gets aggressive, tries to rush you or starts putting you under pressure, hang up straight away
make sure that you’re speaking to the company you think you are by ending the conversation and contacting them again through an official channel
be aware that scammers can keep your phone line open even after you’ve hung up on them – so if you do end the call, wait at least 15 minutes before ringing the company back, or use a different phone
consider registering with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS), which will stop legitimate companies making unsolicited sales and marketing calls to your number – so you’ll know if you do get a call, it’s almost definitely a scam
if you’re not sure it’s us calling, hang up and call us back on the number displayed on the back of your first direct card.

Ticket scams

Going to a gig, festival or sports event is great fun – but becoming a victim of ticket fraud isn’t. That’s why you should only buy tickets from official vendors, the box office, or reputable reseller sites.

Scammers typically pose as a seller and post their ‘tickets for sale’ on social media or an online marketplace. They'll tell you they’ll post or email the tickets after you’ve transferred the money into their bank account. But when nothing arrives and you try to contact them, they’ve completely disappeared.

This happens to thousands of music, sports, and other fans every year, who get tricked into buying fake or non-existent tickets.

How to stay safe

To reduce your risk of falling victim to a ticket scam, follow these guidelines...

only buy tickets from the venue’s box office, official vendors, or reputable reseller sites
don’t open links or attachments on social media, texts, or emails offering tickets, as they could send you to fraudulent or malware sites
avoid paying for tickets via bank transfer
check a seller’s privacy and returns policies
keep receipts until after the event.

Clickbait scams

You won’t believe this shocking trick scammers are using to steal your personal information!

How clickbait scams work

Want to find out more? Of course you do. Fraudsters know just how to get your attention and intrigue you into clicking links in ads, emails, messages and comments on social media. But once you take the bait, you could find yourself on a website designed to hijack your account or steal your information. It could happen to anyone – so make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

What to look out for

Scammers will try to hook you in with words like “shocking”, “secret”, “exclusive” and so on. Be wary of anything promising to give you inside information, sensational news or private access.

As well as attention-grabbing posts, clickbait scams can take the form of browser notifications, antivirus updates, surveys, quizzes, ‘miracle cures’ or even messages from tech support companies.

If someone you know is sending strange messages or making unusual posts containing links or directions to other websites, it’s possible they may have been hacked. Be wary of any downloads, attachments or links they might send.

How to stay safe from clickbait

Hover your cursor over a link and look in the bottom left corner or ‘destination bar’ to see where it’s really going to take you – and use common sense if the link doesn’t look right.

Don’t click on links in emails from addresses you don’t recognise, or that you weren’t expecting – and definitely don’t download attachments from senders you don’t know and trust.

Be wary of links that look like login pages for social media sites. If you’re already logged in, or the page doesn’t look like the one you recognise, close the tab.

As always, if something seems too good to be true – remember that it probably is.

If you think you’ve been a victim

Call the number on the back of your card if you think you’ve been a victim of fraud.

Hotel booking scams

Scams involving hotel bookings are on the rise. If you’re paying for hotels or holidays, take extra care when making payments to protect yourself from fraud.

What to look out for

Some hotels and major booking platforms have recently been compromised by scammers.

fraudsters send messages or links requesting payments which may come directly from your booking app or platform
these messages often contain accurate booking information, like your hotel name or holiday dates. This makes it hard to spot it’s a scam
they might say there’s a problem with your card, or that your booking was cancelled and you need to pay again.

Clicking payment links in messages like these allows scammers to take your payment instead of the hotel.

How to protect yourself

Stop and double check before making hotel or holiday payments. Call your hotel directly if you receive an unexpected request for payment, even if this comes through an official booking platform or app.

If you think you’ve been a victim

Call the number on the back of your card immediately if you think you’ve been a victim of fraud.

How to stay safe

We’ll never ask you to:

If you receive a call, text or email…

Latest scams

WhatsApp scams

Job scams

SIM swap fraud

End of tax year scams

Romance scams

Cryptocurrency scams

Courier scams

Gold purchasing scams

Black Friday and Cyber Monday - Online shopping scams

Parking charges scams

PIN re-entry scams

Conference call scams

Holiday scams

Call divert scams

Impersonation scams

Phone scams

Ticket scams

Clickbait scams

Hotel booking scams

Keeping you safe

Ways to keep yourself safe

Ways we keep you safe

What we need to keep you safe