Every type of scam, explained on one page
Scams change their costumes but not their script: a trusted name, a reason to act now, and a reason not to check. This page lists the scams most commonly reported in the UK, what each one looks like, the single clearest giveaway, and where to read more. Share it with anyone who looks after money, which is everyone.
Three habits that stop almost every scam
Hang up and call back on a number you already trust. Never share codes, PINs or passwords, or approve anything you didn't start. Never move money because someone told you to, however official they sound.
Someone pretending to be an organisation
| Scam | What happens | Biggest giveaway | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank "fraud team" / safe account | A call says your account is at risk; move your money to a "safe account", read out a code, or approve something in your app. | Being asked to move money or share a code. Banks never do either. | Impersonation scams |
| Police impersonation / courier fraud | A "detective" needs your help with an investigation: withdraw cash, buy gold, or hand your card to a courier. | Real police never ask for money, cards or PINs, and never send couriers. | Courier fraud |
| HMRC, DVLA, council | Tax refund, unpaid tax, arrest warrant, parking fine, vehicle tax, all by text or email with a link. | Links and threats. Government bodies tell you to log in to your own account instead. | Fake fees and fines |
| Parcel and delivery | "A fee is due to release your parcel" with a link to a fake courier site. | Not expecting a parcel, or any "shipping fee" by text. | Fake fees and fines |
| Tech support / subscription renewal | Pop-up or email about a virus or a £399 renewal; the "helpline" asks for remote access to your computer. | Any request to install software or share your screen. | Remote access scams |
| Phishing, smishing, vishing | Fake emails, texts and calls copying banks, retailers, Microsoft, Netflix and the rest, to harvest logins and card details. | A link or number in the message, urgency, a generic greeting. | Phishing · real examples |
| Fake websites and apps | Copycat shops, bank login pages and "banking apps" that capture your details or take payment for nothing. | You arrived via a link or advert; the address isn't quite right. | Spot a fake website |
| QR code scams | Fake stickers on parking meters, menus and posters lead to payment pages that steal card details. | A sticker over a sticker, or a QR code in an unexpected email. | QR code scams |
Someone pretending to be a person you trust
| Scam | What happens | Biggest giveaway | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Hi Mum / Hi Dad" | A WhatsApp from a "new number" says your child has lost their phone and needs money urgently. | A new number plus a money request. Call the old number. | AI voice and family scams |
| AI voice cloning and deepfakes | A call in a relative's voice in distress, or a video of a celebrity recommending an investment. | Pressure to act before you can call back. Use a family safe word. | AI voice and deepfake scams |
| Romance scams | An online relationship, often months long, leads to requests for money for emergencies, travel or "investments". | They can never meet or video call, and money is always needed. | Romance scams |
| Hacked friend's account | A message from a friend's real account asks for a code, a loan, or promotes crypto or tickets. | Out of character, and they won't take a phone call. | Hacked accounts |
| Financial abuse | A partner, relative or carer controls your money, monitors your phone or takes out credit in your name. | You're not allowed to see or control your own accounts. | Is someone watching your phone or money? |
Paying for something that isn't real
| Scam | What happens | Biggest giveaway | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase scams | Cars, phones, puppies, consoles, designer goods at great prices on marketplaces and social media. You pay by transfer; nothing arrives. The most common scam by number of cases. | Bank transfer to a private seller you've never met. | Purchase scams |
| Investment and crypto scams | Fake trading platforms, celebrity-endorsed schemes, "guaranteed" returns, pressure to invest more to withdraw. The biggest scam by money lost. | Guaranteed returns, cold contact, and a "fee" to release your profits. | Investment scams |
| Ticket scams | Sold-out gig and match tickets from social media sellers or fake sites. | Below face value for a sold-out event; payment by transfer. | Ticket and holiday scams |
| Holiday scams | Fake villas, cheap flights, hacked hotel accounts asking you to "confirm your card". | Being asked to pay off the platform or pay twice. | Ticket and holiday scams |
| Job and task scams | Jobs you didn't apply for, paid "tasks", fees for training or DBS checks, or roles that use your bank account. | You have to pay, deposit or receive money to get the job. | Job and task scams |
| Advance fee scams | Loans, lottery wins, inheritances, grants or compensation that need a "fee" first. Growing fast. | Paying money to receive money. | Common scams |
| Recovery scams | After a scam, a "law firm", "regulator" or "hacker" offers to get your money back for a fee. | Anyone who contacts you offering recovery, for a fee. | Been scammed? |
Money sent to the wrong place
| Scam | What happens | Biggest giveaway | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invoice and mandate fraud | A genuine invoice arrives with changed bank details, or "we've changed our bank" follows. Hits businesses, homebuyers, tenants and anyone paying a tradesperson. | New or changed bank details, however well explained. | Invoice and bank detail scams |
| Conveyancing / deposit fraud | New solicitor bank details emailed just before exchange or completion. | Solicitors never change bank details by email. | Protect your house deposit |
| CEO fraud | A "director" emails a staff member asking for an urgent, confidential payment. | Urgency plus secrecy from a senior name. | Invoice and bank detail scams |
| Seller scams | Fake payment screenshots, overpayments, courier "insurance", "upgrade your account to release funds". | Money you can't see in your own banking app. | Selling online safely |
| Money mules | You're paid to let money pass through your account. It's laundering, and it's a crime. | Easy money for "receiving and forwarding" payments. | Money mules |
Getting at your details or devices
| Scam | What happens | Biggest giveaway | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-time passcode and app approval scams | A caller talks you into reading out a code or tapping "approve" to "cancel" a payment that is really theirs. | Any request for a code. Read what the code is for. | Passcodes and screen sharing |
| Screen sharing and remote access | You're asked to share your screen or install AnyDesk or TeamViewer so they can "help". | Banks and investment firms never need to see your screen. | Passcodes and screen sharing |
| Identity theft | Your documents and details are used to open accounts, take loans or claim benefits. | Letters, credit searches or bills you don't recognise. | Identity theft help |
| Account takeover | Your email, WhatsApp or social media is hijacked and used to scam others or reset your passwords. | Friends get odd messages; logins and resets you didn't make. | Hacked accounts |
| Malware and fake apps | Apps from outside official stores, or "updates" from links, that read your screen and messages. | Installing anything because a message or caller told you to. | Malware |
| Shoulder surfing and card theft | Watching your PIN at a cash machine or checkout, then stealing the card or phone. | Someone close behind you, or a "helpful" stranger at the machine. | Prying eyes |
| SIM swap | Your number is moved to a criminal's SIM so they receive your codes. | Your phone suddenly loses signal and stays that way. | Hacked accounts |
Whatever the scam, the response is the same
Stop
Hang up, close the message, don't pay, don't share anything.
Call your bank
On 159 or the number on your card, from a different phone if you can. They can stop payments, block cards and start a refund claim.
Report it
Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Police Scotland on 101. Texts to 7726, emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Get support
Our Where to get help page lists free, trusted organisations for every situation. Bank Safe Online is an information site only: we can't investigate, recover money or act on your behalf.
Last reviewed: October 2026