App Scams – helping you stay safe

An unexpected visitor offers services or repairs you don’t need, often claiming they’ve spotted an issue with your home, such as the roof, and offering to fix it for an inflated price or cash payment. 

Warning signs:

• A stranger knocks at your door claiming urgent repairs are needed for your roof or driveway.
• They ask for upfront payments before the work is done.
• You’re encouraged to withdraw money from the bank while they set up.
• They “find” additional issues that require more money immediately.
  
  

How to protect yourself: 

• Don’t be pressured into making a decision at the door – take time to think it through and consult someone you trust.
• Only let people into your home if they are expected or trusted individuals.
• Never reveal your PIN or let anyone convince you to hand over your bank card, financial information, or cash.
• Always check their credentials by contacting the company directly – using a number or details you find, not ones they provide.
• If you feel threatened, call 999. For non-emergency situations, contact the Police on 101.

These scams include fake holiday listings and misleading “deals,” often involving refunds for cancelled trips or fake holiday bookings. Scammers use phishing emails, spoof calls, and fake websites to deceive people. 

Warning Signs:

• Deals that seem ‘too good to be true’
• Fake booking sites mimicking legitimate companies, with small changes in their URLs.
• Emails offering unbeatable travel deals that redirect you to fraudulent sites

How to protect yourself: 

• Be cautious of unrealistically low prices
• Do your research – check reviews, verify addresses and only book with trusted travel companies
• Always use secure payment methods recommended by travel providers.
• For purchases over £100, use a credit card for added protection.
• Avoid clicking on links from unsolicited emails or social media posts – type the web address directly into your browser.

Scammers pose as trusted entities, like banks, building societies, the police, or delivery services, to trick you into giving financial details or making payments. They may use ‘spoofing’ to mimic the number or email of a legitimate organisation. 

Warning signs

• Unsolicited calls, texts, or emails requesting immediate action regarding your finances.
• Urgent messages claiming your money is at risk or your account will be blocked if you don’t respond.
• Slightly altered sender details that don’t quite match the legitimate source.

How to protect yourself:

• Most reputable companies won’t ask for immediate transfers or your full PIN or password.
• If in doubt, contact the organisation directly using official contact information.
• Don’t grant remote access to your computer after unsolicited calls.
• Report suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and scam texts to 7726.

Scammers lure people into fake investments in property, gold, or cryptocurrencies, offering opportunities that seem lucrative but turn out to be fraudulent. 

Warning signs:  

• Unsolicited offers of investment opportunities.
• Pressure to invest quickly without thorough research.
• Logos or company names that seem slightly off from legitimate businesses.

How to protect yourself:

• Use the FCA’s ScamSmart tool to verify investment opportunities.
• Check companies on the FCA’s Financial Services Register.
• Never feel rushed into making an investment; scams often create a sense of urgency.
• Consider seeking independentprofessional advice before making large investments.

Criminals pretend to be a company or service provider you regularly deal with, instructing you to send payments to a new account, which is fraudulent. 

Warning signs:

• Notification of a change in bank details from a familiar service provider.
• Duplicate invoices or more frequent billing than usual.

How to protect yourself:

• Always confirm new bank details with the service provider before sending payment.
• If paying a new recipient, start with a small amount and check they received it.
• Question any unexpected changes in payment details.

You’re asked to pay upfront fees for prizes, loans, or services that turn out to be fake.  

Warning signs:  

• You’re unexpectedly asked to pay for goods, prizes or services.
• Claims that fees are refundable or serve as deposits.
• You face pressure to pay quickly.

How to protect yourself:

• Be cautious of unexpected requests for money, especially when you haven’t entered a competition.
• Verify the legitimacy of any employer or company before paying fees.
• Report suspicious websites or job offers to JobsAware using their online reporting tool.

Criminals set up fake online stores or auction listings to trick you into paying for non-existent goods. These scams often involve stolen images and fraudulent websites. 

Warning signs: 

• Offers of heavily discounted goods that seem too good to be true.
• Requests to pay by bank transfer rather than secure payment methods. 
• Fake receipts or invoices from fraudulent websites.

How to protect yourself:

• Be wary “too good to be true” offers.
• Use secure payment methods like credit cards, which offer consumer protection. 
• Always verify the authenticity of the website and read reviews before making a purchase. 

Fraudsters create fake QR codes that redirect you to fraudulent sites, where they collect your personal or financial information. 

How to protect yourself: 

• Only scan QR codes from trusted sources and avoid entering sensitive information if you’re unsure of the destination.
• If a QR code looks tampered with or has been stuck over an original, avoid scanning it.

You’re tricked into sending money to someone you’ve met online, often via dating apps or social media. Scammers build fake relationships to gain your trust before asking for financial help. 

Warning signs: 

• A fast-developing online relationship with someone you’ve never met in person. 
• Requests to move conversations off the original platform. 
• Inconsistent stories or refusal to video call or meet in person.

How to protect yourself:

• Avoid sending money to someone you haven’t met face to face.
• Use reverse image searches to check if a profile picture is fake.
• Stay on the dating app or website until you are confident about the person’s identity.

For more information, tips and examples of different scams, visit the Take Five to Stop Fraud website