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Scam emails and texts
Do you know why fraudsters send scam messages? It’s to try to steal your personal and banking details so they can use them against you.
We reveal the tricks that fraudsters use so you can check a message to spot a scam.
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How a scam text works
You can get a scam text at any time. So, you need to check every message before you reply.
Wait until you’ve got a spare moment to make sure there are no tricks waiting to catch you out.
If you feel a text is suspicious, forward it to 7726. This is a free service to report scam texts.
![This is an image of a typical scam text.]()
Fraudsters pretend to be genuine companies
Is there a company’s name at the top or a phone number that’s in your contacts? Fraudsters use unknown or random numbers. They also copy genuine phone numbers or hack into a chain of earlier messages. So never rely on details as proof that a text is safe.
Did you expect to get the message?
Fraudsters use threats or tempting offers so you react without thinking. If a text comes out of the blue and is about money or sharing your details, it’s a scam.
Read it carefully
Spelling and grammar errors can be signs of a scam. But fraudsters are clever and often don’t make mistakes. Just because it’s perfect doesn’t mean a text is genuine.
Does it want you to follow a link?
This is how fraudsters get you to enter your details: with a link that goes to a fake site or pop-up. Before you click, make sure a text is genuine. Call the sender on a number you trust to ask if they sent it. Never use a phone number from a text.
Never be too quick to click. Your device can’t always tell you if a link is genuine or fake.
If you give your details to a fraudster, they could use them on a call to pretend to be someone you trust.
Examples of real scam texts
Take the tricks you’ve just learnt and find them in these scams.
![This is an image of a scam text that pretends to be from Royal Mail.]()
Can you spot all the tricks?
Fraudsters know that deliveries are common and hope you’re waiting for one. But Royal Mail would never use a mobile phone number. If you get a text like this, never reply, just delete it.
![This is an image of a scam text that pretends to be about your energy bill.]()
How many tricks are in this text?
Fraudsters can use the name of an organisation when they send a text. Use a search engine to find the official website to make sure a message is genuine.
Have you tried a free email, link or website checker online? They let you type, or cut and paste an address or link to check if it’s genuine.
How a scam email works
Scam emails come out of the blue and pretend to be someone you trust. The message will try to convince you to follow a link, then enter your details.
A typical scam email will have quite a few red flags that you can use to identify one in real-life.
Fraudsters pretend to be genuine companies
Fraudsters can copy a company name, logo or style. But they can’t make an exact copy of an email address. Hover your mouse cursor over the address or tap it on a mobile device to show the sender’s full email. If it doesn’t match the sender’s name, it’s a scam.
Did you expect to get a message?
Scam emails come without warning. If it comes out of the blue and is about money or sharing your details, it’s a scam. Fraudsters use threats or tempting offers so you react without thinking.
Do they know your name?
Fraudsters are after your details, so be suspicious if it doesn’t greet you by name. Call the person or company on a number you trust to ask if they sent it. Never use a number from a suspicious email.
Read it carefully
Check for spelling and grammar errors as these can be signs of a scam. But fraudsters are clever and can write without mistakes. So, if you don’t find any, it doesn’t mean an email is genuine.
Does it want you to follow a link?
This is how fraudsters get you to enter your details: with a link that goes to a fake site or pop-up. Find the website on a search engine so you can contact them to check if the email is genuine.
If you spot any of these tricks, don’t reply, just delete the email.
Once a fraudster gets your personal or banking details, they can use them on a call to pretend to be someone you trust.
Examples of real scam emails
These examples use some of the tricks we’ve just spoken about.
Can you spot all of them?
Have you tried a free email, link or website checker online? They let you type, or cut and paste an address or link to check if it’s genuine.
Other scams fraudsters use to trick you
Learn how fraudsters can use some of the same tricks on a call, through social media and when you buy online.
