How UK Residents Can Avoid Common Phone Scams and Protect Their Privacy – Mummascribbles

This is a collaborative post

It is more important than ever to be mindful of our privacy and security when it comes to our phones. With so many different phone scams, it can be hard to know how to protect yourself. Ofcom reported that some 45 million were scammed in some way in the UK in 2021, and one particular scam saw people pretending to be a bank and scamming 70,000 people to the tune of millions of pounds in one of the biggest scams in UK history.

You can never be too cautious, and this post looks at some information you can use to protect yourself from common scams in the UK.

Photo by Anna Tarazevich

Common phone scams in the UK

There are several common phone scams that UK residents need to be aware of. These include:

Citizens Advice Bureau – scammers pretend to be calling from the CAB under the guise of helping you clear debts. From here, they obtain your details to access your accounts and/or commit fraud in your name.
Amazon – is one of the more popular scams, you are told your account has been used to make fraudulent purchases, and the caller will assist you in rectifying this. They are usually pushy and have you jumping through hoops to regain access.
Banks – in the same way as the Amazon scam, people are led to believe they are being hacked at that time, and the bank is working with you to stop this. Most banks do not work this way.
Housing Association – these calls pretend to be from a housing association to deal with your repairs. The aim is to get you to pay for never carried out repairs. However, they never give you the name, only saying they are your housing association. Housing association residents need to know that any repairs need to be self-reported and are usually free of charge.

Never give out any personal details.

If you have received an unexpected phone call that sounds like a scam, never give out any of your personal information. The most common phone scam in the UK is when a scammer pretends to be from your bank and tells you that you must verify your identity. Scammers will try to get you to reveal sensitive information, such as your national insurance number, complete address, date of birth, bank account number, or password. They do this to access your money and steal your identity. You should never give out any of your personal information over the phone, even if you think you recognize the number calling you. If you are ever unsure if a call is legitimate, hang up. Remember – if a call-centre agent asks for your personal information, they should always be able to verify that they are who they are, and they will never stop you from hanging up and calling back and providing you with their details.

Hang up if you are unsure

If you receive a phone call and are unsure if it is a scam, hang up. Scammers rely on getting you to talk and give them information. By simply hanging up, you will cut off that communication immediately. If they leave a voicemail, never call back using the number they give you. Find official phone numbers separately and use those to call back. Remember – the best way to avoid falling for a phone scam is to avoid talking to the scammers in the first place. If you have received a suspicious call and are unsure if it is a scam, hang up and try to forget about it.

Never call back using the number the caller gives you. Find official numbers separately.

Remember that scammers want to get you off the phone quickly. They will often give you a fake number to call back. If you receive a call from someone saying they are from your bank, never call back using the number they give you. Instead, find the official number for your bank and call them directly.

Don’t click links in texts or emails.

Scammers often use links in texts and emails to trick you into revealing your personal information. These links might lead you to a fake website where they ask you to enter your sensitive information, or they might lead you to a page that tries to install malware on your computer or phone. When in doubt, don’t click any links in texts or emails. Never click any links if you have received a suspicious text or email. Instead, report the scam and ignore the message.

How to report a phone scam

If you believe you have been the victim of a phone scam, you can report it to Action Fraud on 7726, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. You can do so via text message or online by visiting their website. You can also report the scam to your local authority. Remember that scammers often use aggressive and threatening language to scare you into paying them. If you receive a phone call with threatening or aggressive language, you should report it to your local police. You can also contact companies such as your bank or Paypal, for example, with details of the call, e.g. the number they called from and any details they had as well as forward emails to a dedicated phishing email for the affected company.

Additional resources for UK residents to stay informed on phone scams

There are several helpful websites and apps that can help keep you informed on the latest scams. If you visit the National Fraud Authority’s website, you can find out the latest scams and the best ways to protect yourself. StaySafeOnline.org is another excellent site that provides information on the most common scams. If you are worried about fraud and want to save yourself from unwanted callers, consider getting a call blocker. This handy device can stop most unwanted calls, including scam calls and robocalls. Or you can install an app tracker which can give you all the caller’s details, so you can see instantly if they are a legitimate company or scammer. You can read the original review here to help find the right app for you.

Conclusion

Phone scams are, unfortunately, common. Fortunately, there are some simple steps that UK residents can take to avoid these scams and protect their privacy. By being aware of the most common scams, understanding the signs of a scam, and following some simple security tips, you can ensure your phone and personal information stay safe.