Safety guides

Practical, step-by-step articles to help you and the people you care about stay one step ahead of criminals, and the people watching when they shouldn't be.

• Protect yourself from prying eyesShoulder surfing at cash machines and checkouts, phone snatchers, bin raiders and oversharing online.
• Is someone watching your phone or your money?Signs of spyware, shared-account snooping and financial abuse, and how to get safe help.
• Helping an older relative avoid scamsKind, practical ways to protect parents and grandparents without taking away their independence.
• AI voice cloning and deepfake scamsWhen a loved one's voice, or a celebrity's face, isn't real. Set up a family safe word today.
• How to spot a fake website or shopSeven quick checks before you enter card details or log in.
• QR code scamsFake stickers on parking meters and posters. How to scan safely.

Last reviewed: October 2026