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Welcome to Scam Safety Guide

Spot a scam before it costs you

Plain-English guides to the scams doing the rounds in the UK and US: how they work, the warning signs to look for, and exactly what to do and who to tell if you have been caught out.

Protect yourself

Four habits that stop most scams

Most scams rely on rushing you. These guides help you slow down, check, and keep control of your money and accounts.

Before you pay

Check who you are paying

A few minutes of checking beats weeks of chasing a refund.

Start here
When someone calls

Hang up and call back

Callers can fake the number they call from. Your bank never minds you checking.

Start here
Your accounts

Lock down your logins

Strong passwords and two-step checks stop most account takeovers.

Start here
Your family

Look out for each other

Scammers target people who are busy, worried or on their own.

Start here
Just been scammed?

Do these three things now

Act quickly: the sooner your bank knows, the better the chance of stopping or recovering a payment. Being scammed is not your fault.

1Call your bankIn the UK, call 159 to reach your bank safely. Elsewhere, use the number on the back of your card.
2Report itUK: Report Fraud or 0300 123 2040, and forward scam texts to 7726. US: FTC and IC3.
3Secure your accountsChange passwords from a clean device, turn on two-step verification and watch for follow-up “recovery” offers.
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Independent, sourced and free

Scam Safety Guide is independent and free to use. Our guides draw on official sources such as the police, the NCSC, the FCA, the FTC and consumer bodies, and link to them so you can check for yourself.

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