A quiet, clear guide to scam awareness and consumer protection in the UK. Learn the four main tells, safe marketplace buying, and what to do in the first ten minutes.
Almost every scam relies on the same four tricks. When you know them, they are easy to spot.
Scammers force you to hurry. They say your account will be locked or a delivery fee is due now. Real companies give you time to think.
Scammers ask you to keep quiet. They tell you not to speak to your bank, family, or friends. Honest people never mind if you seek advice.
Scammers demand gift cards, vouchers, or bank transfers to a stranger. Real companies do not ask for payment in gift cards.
Web addresses in fake messages look slightly wrong. They use odd dots or misspellings. Always type web addresses yourself.
Buying second-hand items locally is great for saving money, but keep these simple habits in mind.
Pick up items in a well-lit public place during daytime. Bring a friend along when collecting household items.
Look at the item carefully before paying any money. Check that it works and matches the description in the advert.
Pay in person after seeing the item. Never send a bank transfer deposit to a seller you have never met before seeing the item.
If you think you clicked a bad link or shared details, do not panic. Take these four fast steps right away.
Block the sender immediately and close the web page. Do not reply or send further messages.
Call your bank right away using the number on the back of your card. Tell them what happened so they can secure your account.
Report the incident in the UK to Action Fraud online or by phone. Reporting helps protect other people from the same trick.
If you typed a password on a suspicious link, change that password on your real account immediately.
Four simple questions to ask yourself whenever an unexpected message arrives.
One occasional email when new scam warnings or checklist updates are published. No marketing, leave any time.
Explore our guides and checklist, take what helps you stay safe.