Spotting a scam
There are some signs that should set alarm bells ringing whenever you see them. Always be wary of the following situations:
- something which sounds too good to be true normally is
- if you are contacted unexpectedly by a company
- if you have been asked for personal or bank information
- if you aren't given long to make a decision or you feel pressured into making one immediately
- if you're asked to pay anything up-front and the only contact details are a mobile number and a PO box address
- If you’re called repeatedly and kept on the phone a long time
- if you’re asked to keep quiet
Be aware that banks, building societies, utility companies, lottery organisers, law enforcement or statutory bodies will NEVER:
- ask for payment in vouchers
- ask you to transfer money over the phone to a different account
- ask for any part of your pin code
- ask for remote access to your computer or mobile device
- ask for money for a ‘free gift’, ‘admin fee’ or as part of a promotion
- threaten to arrest you over the phone, in a letter or email for not paying a fee
- ask you to go to the bank or building society to transfer money
In short, if in doubt, apply the SCAM test:
S - seems too good to be true
C - contacted out of the blue
A - asked for personal details
M - money is requested
More information
You can find out more information on how to spot a scam at the links below.