Red flags that indicate a call might be fraudulent and how to protect yourself from scammers
Phone scams continue to be one of the most common ways fraudsters target UK residents. According to Action Fraud, UK citizens lose millions of pounds each year to telephone fraud, with the average victim losing over £3,000.
Key Statistics:
Modern scammers are increasingly sophisticated, using technology and psychology to appear legitimate and persuasive. They research their targets, employ pressure tactics, and exploit common fears and concerns.
This guide will help you identify common scam tactics, recognize the warning signs, and understand what practical steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Scammers pose as HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs) officials claiming you've underpaid tax and face arrest or legal action unless you make immediate payment.
"This is HMRC legal department. We have issued a warrant for your arrest due to outstanding tax fraud. To avoid immediate arrest, you must pay £2,000 today."
Reality: HMRC never calls threatening arrest or demanding immediate payment. They typically write to you about tax issues first.
Callers claim to be from your bank's fraud department alerting you to suspicious transactions on your account and requesting security information to "verify" your identity.
"I'm calling from the fraud department at [Bank Name]. We've detected suspicious transactions on your account. I need to verify your security details to stop these transactions and protect your money."
Reality: Banks will never ask for your full PIN, password, or to transfer money to a "safe account".
Scammers claim to be from Microsoft, BT, or another tech company, saying they've detected viruses or problems with your computer that need immediate attention.
"I'm calling from Microsoft Technical Support. Our servers have detected dangerous viruses on your computer. We need to access your computer remotely to remove them before they steal your personal information."
Reality: Tech companies don't monitor your personal devices for viruses and won't call you unprompted.
Scammers pretend to be from energy, water, or telecoms companies claiming you have outstanding bills that need immediate payment to avoid disconnection.
"This is [Utility Company]. Your account is seriously in arrears. Your service will be disconnected today unless you pay £350 within the next hour."
Reality: Utility companies send multiple written notices before disconnection and offer payment plans.
You're told you've won a prize, lottery, or competition you never entered, but need to pay a fee to release the funds or provide personal information to claim your winnings.
"Congratulations! You've won £150,000 in the International Lottery. To claim your prize, we just need you to pay a small processing fee of £200 by bank transfer."
Reality: Legitimate lotteries don't require fees to claim winnings and you can't win competitions you didn't enter.
Callers offer "exclusive" investment opportunities with guaranteed high returns or claim they can help you access your pension early or get better returns.
"We're offering a select group of investors the opportunity to invest in a new renewable energy project with guaranteed returns of 15% annually. This offer expires tomorrow."
Reality: No investment can guarantee returns. Legitimate investment firms don't cold-call with time-limited offers.
Cryptocurrency Investment Scams
Offering to help you invest in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies with promises of extraordinary returns.
Refund Scams
Claiming you're entitled to a refund from a company but need to "verify" your banking details first.
Cost of Living Support Scams
Offering government grants or energy bill support that requires upfront fees or personal information.
AI Voice Cloning Scams
Using AI to mimic voices of friends or family members claiming to be in emergency situations and needing money.
Scammers will claim immediate action is required to:
❌ "You must pay within the next hour or face arrest."
They create panic by threatening serious consequences:
❌ "Your account is being drained as we speak!"
They impersonate trusted organizations:
❌ "This is Officer Johnson from the HMRC Legal Department."
They entice with incredible opportunities:
❌ "We're offering guaranteed 20% returns with zero risk."
| Red Flag | What It Sounds Like | Why It's Suspicious |
|---|---|---|
| Robotic or scripted speech | Unnatural pauses, repetitive phrasing, or speaking too quickly | Suggests a call center reading from a script or using voice automation |
| Unusual background noise | Call center chatter, international sounds, or complete silence | Professional organizations have quiet, controlled calling environments |
| Asking for verification in unusual ways | "To verify your identity, please provide your full password" | Legitimate firms use partial information or existing authentication methods |
| Reluctance to provide details | Vague answers when you ask for their department, name, or employee ID | Professional callers will readily provide verification information |
| Unusual payment methods | "You need to pay using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or money transfer" | These methods are untraceable and can't be reversed once sent |
Most reputable financial organizations won't call you out of the blue to discuss investments, pensions, or loans. They'll send letters first or respond to your inquiries.
Scammers often tell you not to tell anyone about the call, especially bank staff. They might claim it's part of an "undercover operation" or that bank staff are involved in the fraud.
A major red flag is being asked to move your money to another account for "safekeeping" or "security reasons." Your bank will never ask you to do this.
Pension liberation scams targeting over-55s are common. Most pension schemes don't allow early access without significant penalties, and cold calls about pensions are now illegal in the UK.
When you receive a suspicious call, the best approach is to take control of the situation rather than passively responding to the caller's questions or demands:
Important: The "Hang Up" Rule
If you have any suspicions about a call, hang up immediately. A legitimate organization will understand your concerns about security and won't pressure you to stay on the line.
While this won't stop scammers, it reduces legitimate marketing calls, making suspicious calls easier to identify.
Visit www.tpsonline.org.uk or call 0345 070 0707.
Consider a call blocker device for landlines or an app for mobile phones that can screen or block suspicious calls.
Many smartphones have built-in features to identify potential spam calls.
Familiarize yourself with what legitimate organizations will never request from you:
Many banks offer additional security measures you can activate:
Older relatives and vulnerable individuals are often specifically targeted by scammers. Consider these approaches to help protect them:
Have regular, non-judgmental conversations
Discuss current scams without making them feel foolish or incompetent. Focus on how sophisticated these scams have become.
Create a "check first" system
Encourage them to call you or another trusted person before responding to unexpected financial requests or offers.
Install call blocking technology
Set up call blockers on their phones that can filter out potential scam calls.
Create a "safe words" system
Establish a family password that legitimate family members would know if they were truly in an emergency situation.
If you believe you've fallen victim to a phone scam, don't panic. Acting quickly can help minimize the damage and potentially recover your money:
| Timing | Actions to Take |
|---|---|
| Immediately (within hours) |
|
| Within 24 Hours |
|
| Following Days |
|
The banking industry's Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) Code provides protection for victims of Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams:
Under this code, if you've been a victim of a scam and:
Then your bank should reimburse you for your losses.
If your bank refuses reimbursement and you believe you're eligible, you can escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Even if you haven't lost money, reporting attempted scams helps authorities identify and shut down scammers. Your report could prevent someone else from becoming a victim.
Always report suspicious calls to Action Fraud and to our database here at Who-Calls.me.uk to help build a community defense against scammers.
"Margaret, 68, received a call from someone claiming to be from her bank's fraud department. They said suspicious transactions had been detected on her account and they needed to move her money to a 'safe account'. The caller knew her name, address, and had some details about her account, which made her trust them. She transferred £8,200 to the account they provided."
Margaret realized it was a scam the next day and reported it to her bank immediately. Because she reported it quickly, the bank was able to recover about 60% of her money. The rest was reimbursed under the Contingent Reimbursement Model Code.
"James, 42, received a voicemail claiming to be from HMRC stating he had unpaid tax and a warrant had been issued for his arrest. When he called back, they told him he needed to pay £4,350 immediately to avoid arrest. They directed him to purchase Amazon gift cards from various shops and then provide the redemption codes over the phone."
Fortunately, a shop assistant recognized the signs of a gift card scam and warned James before he had purchased all the cards. He had only lost £950 and reported the incident to Action Fraud. Unfortunately, since the gift cards had been redeemed, the money could not be recovered.
"David, 74, received a call claiming to be from Microsoft about his computer being infected with viruses. The caller guided him to download remote access software and showed him screens with 'errors' that they claimed were viruses. They then asked for £399 to remove these viruses and install 'lifetime protection software'."
David mentioned the call to his daughter before making the payment. She recognized it as a scam and helped him shut down the computer and change his passwords. They took the computer to a legitimate repair shop to remove the remote access software and ensure no malware had been installed.
Scammers gather information from various sources, including data breaches, social media, public records, and purchased data lists. Sometimes they use general information and techniques to make you reveal more details during the call. Be careful about what personal information you share online and regularly check your credit report for suspicious activity.
Unfortunately, no. Caller ID spoofing technology allows scammers to display any number they choose, including ones that look like legitimate organizations. Never rely solely on caller ID to verify who's calling. Always independently verify the caller's identity by hanging up and calling back on a number you know is genuine.
This is a common tactic to build trust. Remember that basic personal information is often available through public records or data breaches. Even if the caller has some of your information, this doesn't verify their legitimacy. A genuine organization won't mind if you hang up and call them back through official channels.
It depends on several factors. Contact your bank immediately—the faster you report the scam, the better the chances of recovering your money. UK banks following the Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) Code may reimburse victims of authorized push payment scams if you've taken reasonable care. Credit card payments offer better protection than bank transfers, and payments to UK accounts are easier to trace than international ones.
Watch for signs such as unusual financial transactions, new or secretive relationships with "friends" they've never mentioned, sudden financial problems despite adequate income, or anxiety about answering the phone. They might also receive increased junk mail or calls, or show reluctance to discuss certain topics. Approach the subject sensitively, avoiding blame or judgment, and focus on protection rather than the past.
Report suspicious calls to our database to help others identify and avoid potential scams.
When you receive a suspicious call, remember these steps:
Stop and think - don't act immediately
Challenge - ask questions and verify identity
Protect - never share personal details
End - hang up if you have any doubts
Report - tell your bank and Action Fraud
Be cautious of calls from these number patterns:
International numbers
Especially if claiming to be UK organizations
Numbers similar to yours
First few digits match your own number
Numbers starting with 070
Can be mistaken for mobile numbers but cost more to call
Private or withheld numbers
While some legitimate callers use these, be extra cautious
If your bank won't reimburse you
0800 023 4567
financial-ombudsman.org.ukHave you received a suspicious call that you're not sure about? Or do you need personalized advice about a potential scam?
Our team can help assess whether a call you've received might be fraudulent and provide tailored guidance on protecting yourself.