Phishing scams
‘Phishing’ is when a scammer uses emails, texts or even phone calls to trick you into a scam.
Phishing communications are made to look like they’ve been sent by a genuine sender. They’re designed to trick you into disclosing confidential information. This happens when you reply to a fake email, open an attachment which then implants malicious software or a virus on your device, or click on links leading to fake websites prompting you to enter your data.
Phishing can happen through phone calls, fake texts, and social media posts. Watch out for communications pressuring you into acting quickly or asking for confidential information. And think twice before clicking on links or opening attachments from unverified sources.
Security concerns
Have a question or wish to report fraudulent activity? Please call us on:
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How to spot phishing scams
Some phishing scams are easier to spot than others. They might be emails or texts with bad grammar, come from unusual numbers or email addresses or just feel off.
But some scammers will try to be more sophisticated.
They might pose as an official from your bank, or as a government employee to trick you into revealing personal information. Some will put a time limit on your response and use fear or curiosity to make you respond.
Some will even time their communication with events like tax year end to convince you to hand over financial details before deadlines.
How to check if it's really phishing
If you’re worried about an email, text or phone call, contact the organisation directly using the official contact details from their website.
Don’t use any contact details from the suspicious communication.
What to do if you’ve engaged with phishing communication
If you think your details are at risk, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from fraud.
Your bank details are valuable, keep them private and don’t hand them out to anyone suspicious. If you’re worried scammers have got hold of them, contact your bank and let them know. Their fraud team will be able to help.
The same is true for an account you think is at risk. Contact the right people to let them know and change your login details as soon as you can.
If you’ve accidentally clicked on a suspicious link and you’re worried about the safety of your devices, use an antivirus software to scan and remove any harmful software. If it’s a work laptop or phone, let your IT department know.
If you’ve lost money because of a phishing scam, contact your bank and Action Fraud if you’re in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. If you’re in Scotland, report it to the police.
Specific threats
Help with the emotional impact of fraud
If you do fall victim to fraud, this can have a huge emotional impact as well as being financially crippling. Victims can often feel embarrassed and don’t want to tell people what’s happened, even though they’re not to blame. If you need to talk to someone about how you’re feeling, you can contact Victim Support either online or via their support line on 0808 168 9111. You can also contact Samaritans at any time of the day or night on 116 123.