Protecting yourself against fraud

One of the fastest-growing crimes in the UK, identity theft is when a criminal steals your personal details and uses them fraudulently. This could be to open a bank account, take out a loan or credit card, take over your existing accounts or apply for documents in your name. Some common warning signs for identity theft include:

• Unfamiliar transactions on your bank statements
• Bills, letters or accounts that you don't recognise
• Credit applications being declined unexpectedly
• Notifications about accounts you never opened
• Personal information appearing in phishing emails or scam messages.

How to protect yourself

• Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication where available
• Be careful about sharing personal information online or over the phone
• Shred documents containing sensitive information before disposal
• Check bank statements and credit reports regularly
  Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown senders.

You can find out more about identify theft on the Take Five website (external).

There are three types of cheque scams to be aware of: counterfeit, forged and fraudulently altered.

• Counterfeit cheques look genuine but are created and written with the purpose of committing fraud.
• Forged cheques are usually stolen and used by a criminal who forges the signature of the account holder.
• Fraudulently altered cheques can be genuine cheques that have been altered in some way before being paid in, for example, the amount or payee's name being altered.

How to protect yourself

• Check bank statements regularly and report any unusual activity to your bank
• Keep your chequebook in a safe place and report any missing or lost cheques
• Always use ink when writing cheques and draw a line though any unused spaces
• If you’ve received a cheque, wait for it to clear before providing any goods or services.

You can find out more about how to spot a cheque scam on the Take Five website (external).

Pension scams target people with retirement savings by promoting fake investment opportunities, early access schemes or pension reviews that promise high returns or special benefits. Some common tactics used by these scammers include:

• Claims you can access pension savings before the legal retirement age
• Guarantees of exceptional returns with little risk
• Cold calls, texts or emails about pension opportunities
• Pressure to make immediate decisions
• Companies with limited or unclear contact information

How to protect yourself

• Seek independent financial advice before making pension decisions
• Be cautious of unsolicited pension offers
• Research companies thoroughly and check regulatory status
• Walk away from offers that sound too good to be true.

For more information about pension scams, visit ageuk.org.uk (External).

Phishing, smishing and vishing are forms of impersonation fraud designed to steal personal, financial or security information.

• Phishing involves fraudulent emails or online messages that appear to come from trusted organisations, such as banks, delivery companies or online retailers. These messages often direct victims to fake websites designed to capture sensitive information 
• Smishing uses text messages that often include a shortened URL and encourage recipients to take urgent action, for example rescheduling a delivery or claiming a prize
• Vishing uses telephone calls, with fraudsters posing as trusted organisations to persuade victims to disclose personal information or transfer money.

 How to protect yourself

• Don’t click links in unexpected emails or messages. Instead, visit websites by typing the address directly into your browser
• Verify any request for information or payment by contacting the organisation directly using trusted contact details
• Be cautious of messages or calls that create a sense of urgency or pressure you to act immediately
• Check email addresses, website URLs and caller details carefully, but remember that scammers can fake these
• End suspicious calls and contact the organisation independently if you’re unsure
• Use antivirus software and keep devices updated to protect against malicious links and downloads.