What is a scam?
A scam is when someone tricks you to steal your money or personal details. It’s a type of crime and can target individuals and businesses.
Scams might:
- promise you prizes or money
- try to scare you
- offer fake services or investments
Scams can happen:
- by phone
- by email or text
- by post
- on social media
- on websites
- at your door
Why scams are harmful
Scams cost people in the UK billions of pounds every year.
They don’t just take money. Scams can make people feel:
- worried or scared
- ashamed or alone
- upset or confused
Anyone can be scammed. If it happens to you, it’s not your fault.
How to spot a scam
Scammers often:
- contact you out of the blue
- ask for personal or bank details
- look or sound official
- rush you to make a decision
- tell you to keep it secret
- make big promises or threats
What you can do:
- check who’s contacting you
- look for spelling mistakes
- never share your bank details
- never send money to strangers
- say “no” to pushy sales talk
- ask someone you trust for advice
Report a scam
Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline
- Call 0808 223 1133 (free)
- Report a scam to Citizens Advice
Action Fraud
- Call 0300 123 2040
- Report fraud to Action Fraud
Bedfordshire Police
- Call 101
- Report fraud to Bedfordshire Police
- If it’s happening now, call 999
Other ways to report
- Forward scam emails to: report@phishing.gov.uk
- Forward scam texts to: 7726
- Send scam letters to: FREEPOST SCAM MAIL
Tell your bank as soon as possible if you think you’ve been scammed.
Help protect others
Friends Against Scams
Friends Against Scams is a national project which aims to protect and prevent people from falling victim to scams.
You can help prevent scams by learning more and sharing what you know.
- Visit Friends Against Scams
- Start the Friends Against Scams training (takes about 30 minutes)
Talk to your family, friends and neighbours about scams. The more people know, the safer we all are.