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Scam tip: Never read out a code. A code sent to your phone by text is like a key to your account. Never read it out to anyone who calls you.

Is this call a scam?

Is this call a scam?

Scammers target people on pensions because their income arrives like clockwork. These checks and tips help you spot them and hang up with confidence.

Check a call in under a minute

Answer a few yes or no questions about a call you've had, or one you're on right now. If anything sounds wrong, we'll tell you straight away.

If in doubt, you can always just hang up.

Print a card to keep by the phone

Add someone you trust to call if a phone call worries you. Their details are only used for printing and aren't saved or sent anywhere.

STOP. Is this call a scam?

  • I can hang up. I don't have to be polite.
  • My bank will never ask for my PIN or a code sent by text.
  • There is no such thing as a "safe account".
  • I never pay with gift cards or vouchers.
  • I never go to a website, click a link or download anything a caller tells me to.
  • I never let a caller onto my phone, tablet or computer.
  • I call back on a number I trust, from a different phone.
  • If they tell me to keep it secret, it's a scam.

Worried? Call: ________________ on ________________

My bank's number is on the back of my card.

27 ways to spot and stop a scam call

  1. It's fine to hang up. You never have to stay on the line. Saying "No thank you" and putting the phone down is not rude, it's sensible.
  2. Your bank will never ask for your PIN. No real bank, police officer or company will ever ask for your PIN or full password, on the phone or by text.
  3. There is no "safe account". Anyone who asks you to move money to a "safe account" to protect it is a scammer, even if they know your name and bank.
  4. Call back on a number you trust. If a call worries you, hang up and ring the number on the back of your bank card or on an official letter, not a number they give you.
  5. Use a different phone to call back. Scammers can keep a landline open after you hang up. Wait five minutes, or call back on a mobile or a neighbour's phone.
  6. Never read out a code. A code sent to your phone by text is like a key to your account. Never read it out to anyone who calls you.
  7. Gift cards are not payment. No tax office, utility or police force takes payment in gift cards or vouchers. Anyone asking for them is a scammer.
  8. Rushing you is a warning sign. Scammers say you must act right now. A real organisation will always give you time to check.
  9. Caller ID can be faked. A number on your screen can look like your bank's real number and still be a scammer. Don't trust it on its own.
  10. "Hi Mum, I've lost my phone". Got a message from a family member on a new number asking for money? Call them on their old number before doing anything.
  11. Never let a caller onto your computer. Real tech support doesn't ring you out of the blue. Don't install apps or let anyone "fix" your computer or phone remotely.
  12. "You have a virus" is a scam. Microsoft, Apple, BT, your bank and your internet provider never call to say your device has a virus. Hang up.
  13. Don't type in a website a caller gives you. Never go to a website, click a link or download anything because someone on the phone tells you to. That's how they get into your device.
  14. Pop-up warnings are fake too. A screen that suddenly says your computer is infected and gives a number to call is a scam. Close the browser, or switch the device off and on again.
  15. Secrets are a red flag. If a caller tells you not to tell your bank or family, it's a scam. Real organisations never ask you to keep secrets.
  16. Too good to be true?. Prizes you didn't enter, refunds you weren't expecting and investments with guaranteed returns are almost always scams.
  17. Talk it over first. Before paying anyone who called you, talk to someone you trust. Scammers hate it when you check with a friend.
  18. Police don't collect money. The police will never ask you to withdraw cash, buy gold, or hand money or your bank card to a courier.
  19. Keep a script by the phone. It helps to have words ready: "I don't deal with anything on the phone. Please write to me." Then hang up.
  20. Let unknown numbers go to voicemail. If it's important, a real caller will leave a message. You can listen and call back on an official number.
  21. Doorstep callers too. Be wary of anyone at the door offering urgent roof, driveway or garden work. Get quotes from local firms you choose.
  22. Energy and benefits scams. Scammers pretend to offer energy rebates or winter payments. Real help is applied for through official websites, not given over the phone for a fee.
  23. Pension scams. Be wary of cold calls about your pension, "free pension reviews" or offers to unlock pension money early. Hang up.
  24. Romance scams. Someone you've met online who never meets in person and then needs money for an emergency is very likely a scammer.
  25. Report it, even if you didn't lose money. Reporting a scam call helps stop others being caught. And if you did lose money, tell your bank straight away.
  26. Block and register. Ask your phone provider about free call blocking, and register your number on your country's do-not-call list.
  27. Don't feel embarrassed. Scammers are professionals who fool people of every age. If it happens, tell your bank and someone you trust right away.

The most common phone scams

"This is your bank. Your account has been compromised."

The caller says there's fraud on your account and you need to move your money to a "safe account", or read out a code they've sent you. Your real bank will never do either. Hang up and call the number on your card.

"This is the police. We need your help with an investigation."

The caller says staff at your bank are under investigation and asks you to withdraw cash or buy gold, which a "courier" will collect. Real police never ask for this.

"You owe tax, and there's a warrant for your arrest."

The tax office doesn't threaten arrest over the phone or ask for payment in gift cards, vouchers or cryptocurrency.

"Your computer has a virus" or "There's a problem with your internet."

Callers claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, your bank or your internet provider say your phone, tablet or computer has a virus, has been hacked, or is about to be cut off. They ask you to go to a website, click a link, or download an app (often a real remote-access app such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer) so they can "fix" it. Once installed, it lets them see and control your screen. They then log in to your online banking, or ask you to "check" a refund while they move your money.

Never go to a website, click a link or install anything because a caller tells you to. If you've already let someone in, switch off the Wi-Fi or unplug the internet, call your bank from a different phone, and change your passwords using another device.

"Hi Mum, it's me. I've lost my phone."

A message or call from a "son", "daughter" or "grandchild" on a new number who urgently needs money. Always call them on the number you already have before sending anything.

"You're owed a refund" or "You've won a prize."

You need to pay a small fee or share your card details to receive it. You'll never see the refund or prize, and they'll take much more.

"Your pension could be worth more."

Cold calls offering free pension reviews, investments with guaranteed high returns or ways to unlock pension money early. Genuine firms don't cold call about pensions.

A simple script to keep by the phone

It helps to have the words ready, so you don't have to think under pressure: "I don't deal with anything over the phone. Please write to me." Then put the phone down. You don't need to give a reason or wait for a reply.

Questions people ask

›Is it rude to just hang up?

No. You never owe a stranger a conversation. Genuine organisations understand completely, and will write to you or wait for you to call them back on an official number.

›The caller knew my name and bank. Doesn't that mean they're real?

No. Scammers often have some of your details from data leaks or public records. Knowing your name, address or bank proves nothing. Hang up and call your bank on the number on your card.

›I've already given my details or sent money. What should I do?

Call your bank straight away, using the number on the back of your card, from a different phone if you can. The sooner you tell them, the better the chance of stopping the payment. Then report it, and tell someone you trust. Don't feel ashamed: scammers are professionals who fool people of all ages.

›How can I get fewer scam calls?

Register your number with your country's do-not-call list, ask your phone provider about free call-blocking, consider a phone that only rings for numbers in your contacts, and let unknown numbers go to voicemail.