Fraud Has Many Faces – How to Protect Yourself from Scams in the UK

When we talk about scams, many people smile dismissively: “That would never happen to me. I’m too smart for that.” Yet the statistics tell another story. Every single day thousands of people across the UK fall victim to scams, losing billions of pounds in total.

This is no longer a marginal issue. It has become a social epidemic, affecting almost everyone – from students and young families to successful professionals and pensioners.

Case Study: Margaret and the “Safe Account”

Margaret, a 72-year-old pensioner from Kent, picked up the phone one afternoon. The caller introduced himself as a bank employee. His voice was calm, professional, and reassuring:

“We’ve detected suspicious activity on your account. Fraudsters are trying to withdraw your money. To protect your funds, we need you to transfer them to a temporary safe account. Once the situation is resolved, the money will be returned.”

In the background she could hear the buzz of a busy call centre – adding authenticity to the call. Alarmed at the idea of losing her life savings, Margaret clicked the link the caller provided, logged into her account, and authorised the transfer.

Hours later, when she called her real bank, it was too late. She had lost more than £38,000 – gone forever.

Why do people fall for scams?

• Pressure and urgency – fraudsters create panic so victims act without thinking.

• Authority – pretending to be from a bank, HMRC, or the police automatically inspires trust.

• Emotion – fear, guilt, compassion, even hope (in investment scams).

• Realism – caller ID spoofing and cloned emails make the fraud look genuine.

  
  

Common Types of Scams in the UK

1. Banking scams – fake texts about login attempts, calls about “safe accounts”.

2. Romance scams – long-term manipulation on dating sites ending with money requests.

3. Energy scams – fake rebates or arrears linked to the cost-of-living crisis.

4. Investment scams – crypto, “guaranteed” property returns, fake trading platforms.

5. Charity scams – bogus fundraising appeals after wars or disasters.

6. Shopping scams – fake online stores offering luxury goods at discount prices.

7. Tech support scams – the “Microsoft” phone call about a virus on your PC.

8. Tax scams (HMRC) – threats of arrest unless tax is paid immediately.

   
   

What to Do If You Become a Victim

1. Immediate actions

• Call your bank at once – ask them to block or recall the transfer.

• Change your passwords – especially for email and online banking.

• Disconnect your device from the internet if you installed suspicious software.

2. Report the scam

• Action Fraud → https://www.actionfraud.police.uk

• National Cyber Security Centre → https://www.ncsc.gov.uk

  • Forward scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk

• Mobile providers → forward scam texts to 7726 (free).

3. Protect yourself for the future

• Use a password manager and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

• Never click links in unsolicited texts or emails – visit official websites directly.

• Remember: a bank will never ask you to transfer money to another account.

• Regularly check your credit report to spot fraudulent loans taken in your name.

What Institutions Should Do

• Banks – improve real-time warnings for unusual transfers.

• Government – tighter regulation of online platforms that host scam adverts.

• Schools & community groups – teach cyber-awareness to young people and seniors.

• Local communities – share information through libraries, community centres, and churches.

Fraud is not just about money. It robs people of trust, dignity, and peace of mind. Margaret did not just lose £38,000 – she lost confidence in the very institutions meant to protect her.

That is why awareness and education are our first line of defence. Campaigns like “Don’t Get Scammed” need to reach every corner of society, from schools to senior clubs.

“Remember! Scam is theatre. The fraudster is an actor: one day a banker, another – a wealthy widower looking for love or someone who wants to leave you an inheritance, and yet another – a government official threatening you with a fine. The costumes change, but the play script always remains the same – it’s about your money and your data.”

— Intra Conspectum CIC, Don’t Get Scammed Campaign 2025

🛑 Stop. 🤔 Think. ✔️ Check.

Don’t let yourself be written into their play as the victim.