Scam awareness: how to spot, avoid and report scams
Scams can happen to anyone. Criminals use calls, texts, emails, social media, fake websites, adverts and doorstep visits to try to steal money or personal information. If something feels wrong, take a moment to stop, check and report it.
If you think you have been scammed
Act quickly. If you have shared bank details, sent money or think someone has accessed your account, contact your bank immediately using a phone number you trust, such as the number on the back of your bank card.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101.
Common types of scams
Bank or payment scams: someone pretends to be from your bank, the police or a trusted organisation and asks you to move money or share security codes.
Police scams: a scammer may call claiming to be a police officer and ask you to withdraw money for collection from your home. They may also use fake phone numbers, say your bank account is at risk, or ask you to help with a secret investigation.
Delivery and parcel scams: a message says you need to pay a fee or rearrange a delivery using a suspicious link.
Council or government impersonation scams: someone claims you are owed a refund, rebate or grant, or that you must pay a fine, and asks for personal or payment details.
Parking machine scams: Fraudsters place fake QR codes on machines, or issue fake parking fine notices.
Online shopping scams: fake websites, marketplace listings or adverts offer goods that never arrive or are not as described.
Investment, prize and competition scams: an offer promises high returns, a guaranteed win or a limited-time deal that sounds too good to be true.
Doorstep scams: unexpected callers offer home repairs, gardening, roofing or other services and pressure you to pay upfront. They may also pose as doorstep sellers, wear fake lanyards, and sell overpriced products.
Warning signs to look out for
- You are contacted unexpectedly by someone you do not know.
- You are told to act quickly, keep the conversation secret or not speak to family or friends.
- You are asked to share passwords, PINs, one-time passcodes, bank details or personal information.
- You are asked to pay in an unusual way, such as by gift card, cryptocurrency, money transfer or urgent bank transfer.
- The message contains a link or attachment you were not expecting.
- The offer seems too good to be true, or you are promised guaranteed money, prizes or returns.
- The email address, phone number, website or branding looks slightly different from the real organisation.
Stop, check, report!
Stop: do not click links, download attachments, reply to the message or make a payment if you are unsure.
Check: contact the organisation using details you already trust, such as an official website, a recent bill or the number on your bank card.
Report: reporting helps protect you and others from future scams.
How to report a scam
If you have lost money or been hacked: report it to Report Fraud online or call 0300 123 2040 if you are in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Suspicious emails: forward them to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Suspicious text messages: forward them to 7726 free of charge.
Suspicious phone calls: hang up. If the caller claims to be from your bank and you are worried, call 159 to be connected to your bank, or use the number on the back of your bank card.
Suspicious adverts: report scam or misleading adverts to the Advertising Standards Authority or the platform where you saw them.
If someone says they are from the council
Scammers may pretend to be from the council about payments, refunds, grants, council tax, housing, parking, waste services or enforcement action. If you are not sure if a message, call or visit is genuine, do not share personal or payment details. Contact the council using details from the official website or a recent letter.
How to protect yourself and others
- Take your time before making decisions about money or personal information.
- Use strong, different passwords for important accounts and turn on two-step verification where available.
- Keep phones, computers and tablets updated.
- Be careful about what you share publicly online, as scammers can use personal details to make messages seem more convincing.
- Talk to family, friends, neighbours or carers if something does not feel right.
- Look out for people who may be more at risk, including those who are isolated, under pressure, or less confident online.
- If in doubt, stop and check. A genuine organisation will not mind you taking time to confirm who you are dealing with.
- Sign up for scam alerts Common scams - Kent County Council
Where to get help
If you are worried that something might be a scam, or you need advice after being scammed, contact Citizens Advice for free, confidential support. You can also speak to someone you trust before responding to an unexpected request for money or personal information.