Phone scams are one of the most common ways people lose money. The callers sound professional and convincing. But once you know their tricks, they are easy to spot.
The Most Common Types of Scam Calls
âYour Bank Account Has Been Compromisedâ
Someone calls saying they are from your bankâs fraud department. They tell you that suspicious transactions were made on your account and they need to verify your details.
They may already know your name, partial account number, or address â this makes them seem legitimate.
The truth: Your real bank will never ask you to confirm your full card number, PIN, or online banking password over the phone. If in doubt, hang up and call your bank directly using the number on the back of your card.
âThis is HMRC. You Owe Tax.â
A robotic or human voice says you owe unpaid tax and will be arrested unless you call back immediately or pay a fine.
The truth: HMRC does not threaten arrest over unpaid tax in an unexpected call. They always contact you by letter first. This is always a scam. Hang up.
âYour Computer Has a Virusâ
Someone calls claiming to be from Microsoft, BT, or your internet provider. They say your computer is sending out viruses or has been hacked. They ask you to visit a website or give them remote access to your computer.
The truth: Microsoft and BT do not make unsolicited calls about your computer. If you give them access, they will install harmful software or steal your personal information.
âYouâve Won a Prizeâ
You are told you have won a prize â a holiday, cash, or a new phone. To claim it, you need to pay a fee or provide your bank details.
The truth: If you did not enter a competition, you cannot have won it. Real prizes do not require payment upfront.
Warning Signs of a Scam Call
- They call you unexpectedly
- They create urgency â âAct now or your account will be frozen!â
- They ask for your PIN, password, or full card number
- They ask you to move money to a âsafe accountâ
- They ask for remote access to your computer
- They want payment by gift card (such as iTunes or Amazon)
What to Do
Step 1: Stay calm. Scammers want you to panic and act quickly without thinking.
Step 2: Hang up. You do not owe anyone an explanation. It is perfectly fine to simply put the phone down.
Step 3: Call back using a number you trust. If someone claims to be from your bank, call the number on the back of your bank card. Wait at least 5 minutes before calling â some scammers stay on the line when you âhang up.â
Step 4: Tell someone. Tell a family member or friend. Scammers often target isolated individuals.
Step 5: Report it. In the UK, report scam calls to Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 or actionfraud.police.uk. You can also report nuisance calls to Ofcom.
If You Think Youâve Been Scammed
- Contact your bank immediately â they may be able to stop a transfer or refund your money
- Change your online banking password
- Report to Action Fraud
Remember: A real bank, government agency, or tech company will never pressure you to act immediately over the phone. When in doubt, hang up.