More than two thirds of adults (36 million) have been targeted by a scammer since January this year.
While people aged over 55 are more likely to be targeted, those 34 and under are almost five times more likely to fall victim to a scam. Younger people were most likely to be targeted by text or messaging service, while those over 55 were most likely to be targeted over the phone.
Common scams include:
- Being contacted about fake deliveries or parcels
- Someone calls pretending to be from the Government or other official body - including your landlord
- Offers of a fake investment or get rich quick scheme
If you're not sure the person calling is who they say there are:
- Hang up and phone back using a phone number you recognise (eg a number on an official letter or statement you've been sent). For Curo, call 01225 366000.
- Ideally use a different phone to call back, or wait 10 minutes. That's because scammers can keep your phone line open, so when you call back you're still speaking to them, not the real organisation.
It might be a scam if:
- It seems too good to be true – for example, a holiday that’s much cheaper than you’d expect
- You suspect you’re not dealing with a real company – for example, if there’s no postal address
- You’ve been pressurised to transfer money quickly or in an unusual way – like by iTunes vouchers or a transfer service
- You’ve been asked to give away personal information like passwords or PINs
- You haven't had written confirmation of what's been agreed
If you’ve been scammed report it to stop it:
- Talk to your bank or card company immediately if you’ve handed over any financial and sensitive information or made a payment
- Report the scam to Citizens Advice. For 'offline' scams, like telephone, post and doorstep, go to the Citizens Advice website or call 0808 223 1133
- Report online scams to the dedicated Scams Action Service either online or on 0808 250 5050
- Text scams can be reported to your mobile phone provider by forwarding it to 7726
- Also report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040