Know the signs of scams | Latest news and updates

This October, Citizens Advice is talking about how to be #ScamAware. You can find lots of useful information on their website and social media channels. We’ve collected some of their top tips to share with you.

Avoid festive fakes

Many of us will do a lot of online shopping as we get closer to Christmas and New Year. Scammers know people are looking for deals and use that to trick people into buying things that will never arrive and capture your payment details.

Look out for:

• Websites that do not look like they are registered in the UK. You should be able to find a company’s registered address somewhere on their website
• A returns policy – a real business should have a clear policy explaining how they manage refunds and returns.  
• Prices that seem too good to be true
•  Independent reviews on a different website. A site like Trustpilot can help you work out what other people have experienced.

Look out for delivery dupes

As so many of us shop online and receive deliveries now, another easy way to be tricked is by false delivery notices that ask for payment or for you to confirm your personal details.

•  Texts. Official delivery couriers do not ask for payment via text. Do not click on any links where they ask for payment, go to the official website to track your parcel.
• Missed delivery cards. Scammers create fake cards that will ask you to pay a redelivery fee to steal your details. They will include a website address or QR to take you to a false site to capture your details. You should always check the website is the official one. If it looks suspicious, ignore the details on the card and go straight to the official website.

What to do if you think you have been scammed

Falling for a scam might cost you a lot of money, but it can also make you feel silly or doubt your judgement. Remember, scammers work very hard to make their cons look convincing. Never feel embarrassed to report a scam. If you think you have been scammed, you can:

• Contact your bank to ask for a refund
• Report the scam
• Talk to the Financial Ombudsman if your bank will not help.

It is important to look after yourself too and get your confidence back, take a look at our mental health support.