A money scam is a dishonest scheme designed to trick people into giving away money, financial information, or access to their bank accounts.
In the UK, common money scams include:
- Investment scams – Fraudsters promise high returns with little risk.
- Bank impersonation scams – Someone pretends to be from your bank and asks for security details or transfers.
- Online shopping scams – Fake websites or sellers take payment but never deliver goods.
- Romance scams – A person builds an online relationship and then asks for money.
- HMRC or government scams – Criminals claim you owe tax or are due a refund and request payment or personal details.
- Phishing scams – Fake emails, texts, or websites try to steal passwords, card details, or banking information.
Warning signs include:
- Pressure to act quickly.
- Requests for secrecy.
- Promises of guaranteed profits or prizes.
- Requests for payment by bank transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
- Unexpected messages asking for personal or financial information.
If you think you’ve been targeted in the UK, you can report scams to Action Fraud and contact your bank immediately if money or account details may have been compromised.
A simple rule: if someone unexpectedly asks for money, financial details, or account access, verify their identity through official channels before taking any action.
