Scam safety guides
-
Missed-Call Scams: Why a One-Ring Call From an Unknown Number Should Not Be Returned
Ofcom’s advice on missed-call (Wangiri) scams: why not to call back, which prefixes to be wary of, indicative call costs and what to do if charged.
-
Scam Adverts on Social Media and Search: What Ofcom’s Proposed Fraudulent Advertising Code Would Require
What Ofcom’s July 2026 draft Fraudulent Advertising Codes propose for major platforms under the Online Safety Act, and the timetable for decisions.
-
Recovering a Hacked Email or Social Media Account: The NCSC’s Step-by-Step Guide
The NCSC’s steps for recovering a hacked email or social media account: warning signs, forwarding rules, passwords, 2-step verification and reporting.
-
Unauthorised Payments From Your Account: The 13-Month Rule, Next-Day Refunds and When a Bank Can Refuse
UK rules on payments taken without your consent: the 13-month limit, refund by the next business day, the GBP 35 cap and when banks can refuse.
-
Courier Fraud: How Fake Police and Bank Callers Get Cards, Cash and Goods Collected From Your Door
How courier fraud works, the warning signs, what police and banks never ask, how 159 helps and where to report, from Met Police and Report Fraud.
-
Property and Conveyancing Fraud in England and Wales: Protecting a Title and a House Deposit
How HM Land Registry says property fraud and payment diversion fraud work in England and Wales, and the free Property Alert and restriction protections.
-
Where to Report a Scam in the UK: Report Fraud, the NCSC, 7726 and the ASA
Which scam report goes where: Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud in December 2025; the NCSC takes emails and websites, 7726 takes texts, the ASA takes adverts.
-
Lottery and Prize Draw Scams: Why You Cannot Win a Prize You Did Not Enter
Gambling Commission and Citizens Advice guidance on lottery and prize draw scams: unexpected wins, fee demands, fake emails and where to report them.
-
Student Finance Scams: How Fake Student Loans Company Messages Work and How to Respond
How fraudsters impersonate the Student Loans Company by text, email and phone, the warning signs SLC lists, and how to report a suspicious message.
-
Ghost Broking: How Fake Car Insurance Is Sold and How to Check a Broker Before You Pay
How ghost brokers sell fake or invalid car insurance on social media, the warning signs the FCA lists, and how to check a broker and your policy.