Don't Get Caught Out
Every week, scammers find new ways to trick people into handing over money, credentials, or sensitive information. The good news? Most scams follow recognisable patterns — and once you know what to look for, they become much easier to spot.
Don't Get Caught Out: Your Guide to Spotting Scams
Every week, scammers find new ways to trick people into handing over money, credentials, or sensitive information. The good news? Most scams follow recognisable patterns — and once you know what to look for, they become much easier to spot.
This article is here to help you stay one step ahead, and each week, we’ll post the latest "Scam of the Week" — a real-world example of a current scam doing the rounds, along with practical tips to avoid it – to our website.
The Five Warning Signs of a Scam
However convincing a message looks, most scams share these red flags:
Urgency — "Act now or your account will be suspended." Scammers create time pressure, so you don't stop to think.
Unexpected contact — A message, call, or text you weren't expecting, especially about money, deliveries, or account problems.
Requests for sensitive info — Legitimate organisations rarely ask you to confirm passwords, PINs, or full card details by email, text, or phone.
Too good to be true — Prize wins, unexpected refunds, or investment "opportunities" with guaranteed high returns are almost always fake.
Slightly-off details — Look closely at sender email addresses, links, and logos. Small misspellings or unusual domains are a giveaway.
Golden rule: If a message pressures you to act immediately, pause. Verify the request through a separate, trusted channel — call the organisation directly using a number you already know, not one provided in the message.
What to Do If You Suspect a Scam
Don't click, don't call back, don't reply.
Report it to the company straight away — the sooner they know, the faster they can protect everyone else.
Don't feel embarrassed if you've already engaged with a suspicious message — the quicker you report it, the more damage they can prevent.
Stay Tuned
Every new Scam of the Week will be posted to our website, so you always know what to watch out for. You might want to bookmark the website - staying informed is one of the best defences we have.