According to the National Crime Agency, between April 2022 and March 2023 fraud was the most commonly experienced crime in the UK, accounting for over 40% of crime in England and Wales.
Read on for important information that could help to protect you from fraud. Find out about the most common types of fraud and gets tips to keep your personal details safe.
Top tips to stay safe from fraud
Double-check before providing personal info
Never give your name, address, bank details, email or phone number to people or organisations without verifying they’re real first. If you’re not sure the person contacting you is genuine, reach out to the company directly, using a phone number you trust.
Secure your devices
Make sure your computer has anti-virus software and a firewall installed to protect it from viruses and hackers. Protect your online accounts with strong passwords.
Watch out for phishing scams
Phishing can be fake emails or texts – usually trying to trick you into going to a website to enter personal and financial details. Never click on a link or attachment in an unexpected email or text – if you’re unsure, it’s always best to contact the company directly on known contact details.
Be aware of other scams
Other scams may include requests from people you don’t know very well (someone you met online, or a friend of a friend) to transfer money on their behalf. Never use your account for moving someone else’s money and verify that payments you make are going to the person you want to pay.
Different types of fraud
Identity theft
Identity theft is when your personal information is stolen and used to open bank accounts or apply for credit cards and loans. Criminals can find and use your personal details like your name, date of birth and address to commit identity theft. They might find it by stealing your mail or even just looking at your social media accounts. To spot identify fraud, look out for:
- transactions on your bank statement you don’t recognise
- letters you’ve received, or entries on your credit record, about loans or other debts you didn’t apply for
- bills, invoices or receipts for something you haven’t asked for
Account takeover fraud
Account takeover fraud is when criminals gain access to your bank account and take money from your account. Criminals trick you into giving away your personal information, by impersonating trusted organisations or intercepting your mail. You should never share one-time passcodes with anyone - a trusted organisation will never ask you to do this. Criminals can use these details to access your bank account. To detect banking fraud, look out for:
- your account details (phone number, address, card number) changing without your knowledge
- new payees, Direct Debits and standing orders set up that you didn’t authorise
- transactions on your bank statement you don’t recognise
Card fraud
Card fraud is when a criminal steals personal information from your credit or debit card account, or steals your actual card. Criminals can then buy goods or services, which will be charged to your card. Always make sure your contact information is up to date, in case a company needs to contact you about a suspicious transaction. To help stop card fraud, look out for:
- abnormal transactions on your bank statement
- websites that aren’t secure or genuine, accessed through a link in an email or social media post
- unusual ATM machines or card machines – criminals can tamper with these
Always contact your bank immediately if you notice any of the above.