Be Scam Aware

We're all worried about money.

Don't let scammers take yours.

• Traders who knock on your door, asking for upfront payments. You should take the time to ensure all traders are trustworthy before confirming work with them
• Cold callers or door-sellers offering deals. Take time to explore the options available to you
• False online adverts. It’s important that you take the time to check any claims are accurate before buying
• Emails or automated calls pretending to be from the government or an official company.

• It seems too good to be true – like an email saying you’ve won a competition you don’t remember entering 
• Someone you don’t know contacts you unexpectedly
• You're being urged to respond or pay quickly 
• You've been asked to pay for something urgently, or in an unusual way - for example by bank transfer or gift vouchers
• You’ve been asked to give away personal information

• Don’t rush into making any quick decisions. It's OK to take your time. If someone pressures you, it's probably a scam.
• Never give money or personal details, like passwords or bank details, to anyone you don’t know, trust or have only met online. Be wary of unexpected contact.
• Pay by debit or credit card. This gives you extra protection if things go wrong.
• Be suspicious. Scammers can be very smart. They can appear like a trusted business or government official, have a professional website and say all the right things. Take your time to work out if this is a real organisation. Ask them for ID or contact the organisation on an official phone number.
• Before you buy anything, check the company or website you’re using. Read reviews from different websites, search for the company’s details on Companies House, and take a look at their terms and conditions. Research any traders or companies before confirming any payments, particularly if they seem too good to be true. 
• If you think someone might be trying to scam you, it’s important to act straight away.

What else can I do to stop online scams 

• Don’t click on or download anything you don’t trust
• Make sure your antivirus software is up to date
• Keep your online accounts secure:
  
  • Use a strong password for email accounts that you don't use anywhere else. 
  • Some websites let you add a second step when you log in to your account. This is known as ‘2-factor authentication’. This makes it harder for scammers to access your accounts

1. Protect yourself from further risks
   Don’t be embarrassed - contact your bank immediately to let them know what’s happened. You should also change any relevant log-in details, and check for viruses if you were scammed on a computer.
2. Check if you can get your money back
   If you’ve lost money because of a scam, depending on the circumstances you might be able to get your money back by getting in touch directly with the method you used to pay.
3. Report the scam
   Reporting scams protects others from being scammed: 

• • Call the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133
  • Report the scam to Action Fraud. They’ll also give you a crime reference number, which can be helpful if you need to tell your bank you’ve been scammed.

• Tell your bank straight away. They may be able to help you get your money back
• Protect yourself by changing your online passwords and checking your computer for viruses
• Report the scam.