Travel Scams
Cruise Scam UK: Spot Fake Deals and Book Safely
Cruise scams use fake deals, "free cruise" prizes and bogus booking sites to take your money. How to spot one, book safely and get your money back.
Scam guides
Browse all published guides by scam type, payment method, platform, or impersonation pattern.
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Travel Scams
Holiday Club Scam UK: How to Spot and Avoid Timeshare Fraud
Holiday club scams push discounted-travel memberships in high-pressure presentations, locking you into costly contracts. How to spot one and get out.
Travel Scams
Timeshare Scam UK: How to Spot and Avoid Holiday Property Traps
Timeshare scams promise cheap holidays and investment returns, then trap you in contracts with escalating fees. The warning signs and how to get help.
Travel Scams
Fake Travel Agent Scams UK: How to Spot Booking Fraud
Booking a cheap holiday, flight or villa from an agent you don't know? How to spot a fake travel agent, verify ABTA/ATOL, and protect your money.
Travel Scams
Booking.com Scam UK: Spot a Fake Payment Message
A message uses real booking details and demands payment or card information. Compare it with the confirmation and contact Booking.com directly.
Government Impersonation
HMRC Self Assessment Scam UK: Fake Refund & Tax Bill Texts
Fake HMRC messages spike around Self Assessment deadlines, claiming a refund or overdue bill. HMRC never asks you to 'confirm' bank details by text.
Government Impersonation
Benefits Fraud Text Scam UK: Spot a Fake DWP Text
Fake DWP texts use benefit reviews or payments to steal personal and bank details. Do not use the link; check through your official benefit account.
Government Impersonation
Student Finance Scam UK: Spot a Fake SLC Message
Fake Student Finance messages ask for personal, login or bank details. Check your online account directly and report suspicious contact.
Email Scams
Sextortion Email Scam UK: How to Respond Safely
Sextortion scam emails claim to have compromising footage and demand payment. Learn how to respond, report the email and secure your accounts.
Email Scams
Email Account Takeover UK: Recover and Lock It Down
Recover a compromised email account, remove forwarding rules and reused credentials, and use a passkey or two-step verification to secure it.
Fraud & Impersonation
Deed Fraud: Protect Property in England and Wales
Criminals may impersonate an owner to sell or mortgage a property. HM Land Registry offers alerts and title restrictions in England and Wales.
Fraud & Impersonation
Identity Theft UK: Warning Signs & What to Do
Noticed an unrecognised account or a sudden credit-file surprise? Here's how identity theft actually happens in the UK, and what to do about it first.
Investment & Finance Scams
Ponzi Scheme UK Warning: Spot the Recruitment Pattern
A Ponzi scheme pays early investors using later investors' money, not real profit, and cannot be sustained indefinitely. Here's what to watch for.
Investment & Finance Scams
Share Fraud UK: Spot a 'Boiler Room' Cold Call
Cold-called about shares with a free research report thrown in? The FCA's name for this is a 'boiler room' — check before you invest.
Investment & Finance Scams
Recovery Room Scam UK: A Second Scam After the First
Contacted by someone claiming to be the FCA, police, or a solicitor offering to recover money you've already lost? That contact is the scam.
Payment Scams
Wedding Photographer Scam UK: Verify Before You Book
A portfolio and social profile can be copied. Verify the photographer, contract and payment recipient, and understand card protection before paying.
Payment Scams
Wedding Venue Deposit Scam UK: Verify Before Paying
Verify a venue and any changed bank details through contact information found independently. Card and bank-transfer protections depend on how the loss occurred.
Text Message Scams
Parcel Scam Texts Around Bank Holidays & Christmas
A 'missed delivery' text arrives after a public holiday or during the Christmas rush? Real delays can make fake parcel texts seem plausible.
Phone Scams
Amazon Scam Phone Calls UK: How to Spot a Fake Amazon Call
Got an unexpected automated 'Amazon' call about an order or account? Treat it as unverified. Here is how to check it safely and stop a phone scam.
Payment Scams
Chargeback Scam UK: How Chargeback Fraud Works and How to Avoid It
Chargeback scams let a buyer keep the goods and claim their money back, leaving the seller out of pocket. How chargeback fraud works and how to avoid it.
Marketplace Scams
Gumtree Scams UK: How to Spot and Avoid Fake Listings and Buyers
Gumtree is legitimate, but scammers use it. Here are the most common Gumtree scams targeting UK buyers and sellers, the warning signs, and how to stay safe.
Fraud & Impersonation
Google Voice Verification Code Scam UK: Don't Share That Code
Someone asks you to read back a Google verification code to 'prove you're real'? It's a scam to hijack your number. Here's how it works and what to do.
Fraud & Impersonation
How to Spot and Avoid Scams in the UK: The Core Rules
Every scam relies on the same handful of tricks. Learn the pattern once and you'll recognise it in a call, text, or email you've never seen before.
Fraud & Impersonation
Driveway Cowboy Scam UK: Spot a Fake Contractor
An unsolicited caller offers cheap driveway or roof repairs using 'leftover materials'? How to spot a doorstep cowboy trader and report it in the UK.
Phone Scams
Solar Panel Cold Caller Scam UK: Spot the Warning Signs
Got an unsolicited call or doorstep visit offering free solar panels or a 'government grant'? How to spot a solar panel cold-calling scam in the UK.
Text Message Scams
DPD Scam Text or Genuine Message? Check a Fake Delivery Text
Received a DPD delivery text? Check the parcel independently, distinguish a fake redelivery fee from genuine import charges, and report a scam safely.
Text Message Scams
Yodel Scam Text Messages: How to Spot a Fake Yodel Text (UK)
Fake Yodel texts about a missed parcel or small 'redelivery' fee are smishing scams. How to spot a fake Yodel text, check a real one, and report it.
Text Message Scams
UPS Scam Text Messages: Spot a Fake UPS Delivery Text (UK)
Fake UPS texts about a missed delivery or 'customs fee' are smishing scams. Here's how to spot a fake UPS text, verify a genuine one, and report it in the UK.
Travel Scams
Holiday Compensation Scam UK: Fake Claims Handlers
Cold-called about compensation you're owed for a delayed or cancelled trip? Check the firm is FCA-authorised before sharing any details.
Travel Scams
Jet2 Holiday Scam UK: Spot a Fake Deal or Contact
A huge Jet2 discount appeared on WhatsApp or social media? Verify any deal or booking directly on jet2holidays.com before you pay anything.
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