These can come in the form of adverts or posts on social media or online sites ‘selling’ items or services which later transpire to be fake or non-existent. Recent data shows that purchase scams continued to be the most common form of authorised push payment scam in the first half of 2024, making up 70% of all reported cases in the UK.* To help stay safe from purchase scams: • Always research and read reviews to check the site and the seller are genuine.
• Never agree to buy vouchers or other items for someone as a way to pay for something else. • Always physically view large purchases in person prior to making a small deposit payment for them, with final payment to be made upon collection. And remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it normally is.
These are text messages you receive where you are encouraged to click on a link that brings you to a website where you need to input your bank or credit card details. The text often looks like it’s from a genuine company — your bank, a delivery company, utility company, phone provider or even the government. Current examples of smishing texts include those claiming to be about car parking fines or from the DVLA about overdue car tax, as well as texts claiming to offer a Winter Fuel Subsidy payment.
To avoid falling for one of these: • Don’t click on links sent to you by email, text, or social media. • Think, is this an unfamiliar sender address or number, or are there misspellings? • Check the web address.
