Scams can take many different forms, but they all share the same aim: to trick you into handing over money or personal information. Understanding what each type looks like is the first step to protecting yourself.
Use this page to identify the type of contact you have received. For advice on what to do next, see What to do about a scam call, text or message.
How to recognise a scam — warning signs
Most scam calls, texts and messages share common features. Be on your guard if you notice any of the following.
- Unexpected contact: a call or message from an organisation you were not expecting.
- Requests for personal or financial details: bank details, passwords, PIN or National Insurance number.
- Suspicious links: a link in a text or message you were not expecting.
- Pressure to keep it secret: being told not to tell anyone, including your bank.
- Urgency: you are told you must act immediately or face consequences.
- Too good to be true: an unexpected prize, refund or investment opportunity.
If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. Genuine callers will not pressure you to act immediately. It is always safer to hang up, take your time, and call the organisation back using a number from their official website.
Types of scam calls
A call that appears to come from a trusted organisation but doesn't
Scammers can change their caller ID, which is the number that appears on your phone screen. This is called ‘number spoofing’ and means a call can appear to come from your bank, HMRC, a delivery company, a government body or even Ofcom, when it’s really from a criminal. The aim is to get you to hand over personal details, passwords or money. Criminals based abroad might also change their number to appear to be calling from the UK. Ofcom requires phone companies to block calls from abroad that falsely display a UK landline number, but some might get through. Be wary of any unexpected call asking for personal or financial information - hang up and call the organisation back using a number from their official website.
A missed call designed to get you to call back a premium rate number
These scams use automated systems to dial large numbers of phones. The call lasts under a second and shows on your phone as a missed call. If you call back, you are connected to a premium-rate service and charged for as long as you stay on the line. Numbers often begin 070, 076, 084, 087, 090, 091 or 118, or could be unfamiliar international numbers. Calls to these numbers can be very expensive - check our call costs guide for more detail.
- If you get a missed call on your mobile from a number you don’t recognise, don’t call it back.
- Search the number online - many scam numbers are reported by other people who’ve received calls from them.
- If you have already called back and think you have been charged, contact your mobile provider.
Scammers impersonating us, to obtain your personal information
We have received reports of scam calls in which the caller claims to be from Ofcom, says there is a problem with the recipient’s phone or broadband service or an unpaid bill, and tries to obtain bank details or get the recipient to press a button or call back.
Ofcom does not make unsolicited calls, never asks for payment by phone, and never asks for your bank details. If you receive a call like this, hang up and report it to Report Fraud.
Unsolicited calls pushing fake investment opportunities
If you receive an unexpected call offering an investment — such as shares, cryptocurrency, property or commodities — treat it with extreme caution. Legitimate investment firms do not cold-call members of the public. These scams use high-pressure tactics and promises of high returns to push you into a quick decision. Once money is transferred, it is rarely recovered.
- If you receive an unsolicited investment call, hang up.
- Check whether the firm is authorised on the Financial Conduct Authority register before doing anything.
- Report investment scams to Report Fraud.
Scam texts and messages
Messages pretending to be from a friend or family member in difficulty
These scams involve a message, often a text or WhatsApp, that appears to be from someone you know. They claim they have a new number and ask for money urgently, often citing an emergency. The aim is to trigger an emotional response so you act before thinking.
- Do not send money in response to an unexpected message like this.
- Contact the person who the message claims to be from, directly using a number you already have for them, to check the message is genuine.
- If the scam message says the person you know has lost their phone or is using a new number, do not use the number in the message to check. Try to contact them another way, for example by calling their old number, using another messaging app, or asking another family member.
- Do not send money if you are not 100% sure the message is genuine.
Texts pretending to be from a courier or delivery company
A very common scam text impersonates a delivery company such as Royal Mail, DHL or Evri, claiming a parcel is waiting or a delivery fee is due. These messages are particularly common at certain times of the year such as Christmas or Black Friday. The messages contain a link. Clicking it can either take you to a fake website that steals your payment details or installs malicious software that can access your banking apps and personal data.
Do not click links in unexpected delivery texts, even if they look genuine. If you are expecting a parcel, go directly to the courier's official website to track it — never use a link in a text.
If you have already clicked a link and are concerned, contact your mobile provider immediately and report the text to 7726 and Report Fraud. In Scotland, report this to Police Scotland on 101
Texts pretending to be from your bank, HMRC, the NHS or other trusted bodies
Scammers send texts appearing to come from bodies such as banks, HMRC, the NHS, TV Licensing or other well-known organisations, claiming there is a problem such as a problem with your account, a refund waiting, or a payment due. The text usually links to a convincing fake website designed to harvest your details.
- Legitimate organisations rarely ask you to click a link in a text to provide personal details.
- Verify by going directly to the organisation's official website or calling their published number.
- Check the sender’s name carefully, scammers use names that look almost identical to the real thing.
Unwanted marketing texts — not always a scam, but still unwanted
A spam text is an unsolicited marketing message, usually from a real company but sent without your permission — for example about subjects such as injury claims, debt management or insurance.
If the sender is known to you, such a company you have done business with, or uses a shortcode (a five to eight digit number): reply STOP to opt out.
If the sender is unknown: do not reply. Forward the text to 7726 and report it to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
For more details, refer to our guide to Unwanted calls, texts and emails.
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