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đ¨Sign up to get free Which? Scam Alerts emailed to you. It only takes a minute.Â
Our Alerts will keep you updated on the latest scams circulating online and on social media.
Get free Which? Scam Alerts â stay ahead of the scammers stealing ÂŁbillions every year.
See the latest Alerts below.
The most recent scams doing the rounds online and on social media.
Thursday
31 Mar 22
Scam alert: Fake Cadbury WhatsApp message
A fake message inviting people to take part in a âCadbury FREE Easter Chocolate Basketâ is spreading fast on WhatsApp.
Weâve been made aware of a fake message spreading through WhatsApp using Easter as a hook to get recipients to click through to a website that steals your personal information.
Find out what this fake Cadbury scam looks like here.
Thursday
17 Mar 22
đ¨ Scam alert: Fake investment ‘refund’
Fraudsters are targeting people claiming they are giving ‘refunds’ for investment losses.
Scammers often target prior victims of scams, claiming they can help recover losses â in this case posing as an investment bank.
This is known as a ârecovery scamâ. Sometimes itâs the same set of fraudsters, while on other occasions your details have been stored and sold on to a different set of scammers.
Here are the tell-tale signs of a ‘recover’ scam.
Wednesday
16 Feb 22
đ¨Scam alert: Amazon ‘locked account’ email
Weâve seen an increase in fake Amazon emails stating that your account has been âlockedâ, encouraging you to share personal details to ‘unlock’ it.
The email’s branding looks genuine and the message is clear: act now or all your âpending ordersâ will be cancelled.
Don’t be fooled though. If you check the sender email, it becomes clear it is not from Amazon.
Learn more about this fake Amazon email scam â and read Amazon’s response.
Thursday
23 Dec 21
đ¨Scam alert: Whatsapp family impersonation
We’re seeing more and more reports of scammers posing as family members and friends on Whatsapp.
While the techniques used by scammers to make contact with victims vary, the outcome will be the same: they are after your money and/or personal data.
If you get a request for money in a Whatsapp message, you should call the family member on the original number you have saved for them to verify.
Learn more about this Whatsapp family impersonation scam and how to protect yourself.
Wednesday
15 Dec 21
đ¨Scam alert: fake Andy Murray endorsement
Fake ads have appeared across social media linking tennis star Andy Murray to CBD gummies.
It’s just the latest in a string of fake celebrity endorsements plaguing social media.
Celebrities Deborah Meaden and Martin Lewis have previously been targeted by similar fake ads.
Read more about the fake Andy Murray ads.
Thursday
2 Dec 21
đ¨Scam alert: Omicron test phishing email
Scammers are sending fake emails about the new Omicron variant of Covid in an attempt to steal your personal data and bank details.
The fake email impersonates the NHS and claims to offer âa free Omicron PCR today to avoid restrictionsâ.
Don’t be caught out by the scammers, protect yourself: see what the Omicron phishing email looks like.
Tuesday
28 Oct 21
đ¨Scam alert: Primark gift card emails
Phishing emails promising Primark gift card ârewardsâ have been circulating.
They work by claiming that you need to âactivate the deliveryâ in order to receive the reward and even attempt to deceive you by including âyour account informationâ.
How to protect yourself from this and similar phishing scams.
Monday
11 Oct 21
đ¨Scam Alert: crypto scams
Criminals are capitalising on the explosion of public interest in cryptocurrencies.
Hundreds of new ‘cryptos’ are being launched every month, most of which have extremely volatile prices and should be approached with extreme caution.
Although many of these new cryptocurrencies claim to have real world uses, some are simply scams – set up purely to steal investor’s money.
Thursday
16 Sep 21
đ¨Scam Alert: fake Covid test SMS
A fake text message claiming to be from the NHS has been circulating, demanding that you âorder a PCR testing kitâ.
The message tells you to order a PCR test kit from a dodgy website, which asks for your personal information.
Do not give it out, this is most likely a phishing scam. Learn more about the fake Covid test scam.
Thursday
15 Jul 21
đ¨Scam Alert: fake NHS Covid passes
Scammers are hoping to cash in on any confusion around the end of pandemic restrictions by sending out lookalike NHS-branded emails and texts that invite you to apply â and pay â for a NHS Covid pass.
The Pass was recently launched so that people can show their Covid vaccine or test status and is free.
We show you examples of the messages and explain how to deal with NHS-related phishing so you donât get caught out.
Thursday
1 Jul 21
đ¨Scam Alert: Sainsburyâs âmarketing surveyâ email
Phishing attempts that masquerade as well-known brands are becoming more sophisticated.
This time itâs Sainsburyâs that is being impersonated via an email promising ÂŁ90 for taking part in a âmarketing surveyâ. It encourages recipients to part with sensitive personal information.
Hereâs what the email looks like.
Thursday
10 Jun 21
đ¨Scam Alert: Census 2021 phishing
Scammers are continuing to tell people through fake texts that their Census submission either hasnât been received or that information is missing, and because of this they risk being fined ÂŁ1,000.
It essentially tries to panic you into proving youâve already taken part in order to extract your personal information and target you with further scams.
Hereâs how to deal with the fake messages.
Thursday
27 May 21
đ¨Scam Alert: WhatsApp verification message trick
Hackers are trying to obtain access to WhatsApp accounts after stealing the identities of their victimsâ contacts.
Youâll receive an unexpected but genuine text message from WhatsApp containing a verification code.
Next, one of your âcontactsâ will message you via the app to try and persuade you to give them the code youâve just received.
Learn how to protect yourself from this scam.
Thursday
20 May 21
đ¨Scam Alert: National Insurance phishing email
Last month we warned about cold calls from fraudsters pretending to be from the National Crime Agency claiming your National Insurance Number had been ‘compromised’.
This time, they’re sending phishing emails. Again, they’re claiming your National Insurance number has been ‘compromised’ and are asking for your personal information to ‘secure’ it.
We’ve got everything you need to know about this National Insurance phishing scam.
Thursday
29 Apr 21
đ¨Scam Alert: ‘FluBot’ malware text
Fake package delivery messages containing dangerous ‘FluBot’ malware are on the rise.
The link contained in the scam message downloads an app that can infect Android phones, harvesting passwords and personal info, as well as accessing your contacts.
Read more about this malware scam and how to spot other messaging scams.
Wednesday
7 Apr 21
đ¨Scam Alert: Dyson ‘loyalty programme’ email
An email claiming to be from Dyson is promising âprizesâ as part of a fake loyalty program; but Dyson has confirmed it has nothing to do with the communication.
The email from âDyson V10â congratulates the receiver on their selection to âparticipate in our loyalty program!â â and encourages them to click a link.
Here’s what to look out for if you receive an email matching this description.
Tuesday
23 Mar 21
đ¨Scam Alert: Royal Mail website clone
The scam starts with a text message, apparently from âRoyal Mailâ, claiming that a parcel was being held due to an unpaid shipping fee.
The text directs you to a fake website where you’re asked to enter your card details, which are then stolen. One victim almost saw their entire bank balance wiped.
Don’t get caught out. Here’s what to look out for if you receive a text apparently from Royal Mail.
Wednesday
4 Mar 21
đ¨Scam Alert: Google Drive exploit used for phishing
Thereâs been an increase in reports of phishing emails with links to Google Forms that attempt to steal sensitive information.
In these emails, scammers pose as major brands, charities or government agencies offering an incentive or requesting confirmation of recent activity.
Here are some bizarre examples and how you can identify this type of phishing.
Saturday
13 Feb 21
đ¨Scam Alert: unusual fake âBarclaysâ text
A scam text message targeting Barclays customers is making the rounds.
Fake texts purporting to be from banks are nothing new, but this one features another twist to be wary of: it appears on peopleâs phones with the sender set as the bank itself.
Take a look at the message here and get the facts on how these âsmishingâ attempts work.
Wednesday
27 Jan 21
đ¨Scam Alert: HMRC Self Assessment scams
The self-assessment deadline is coming up, so watch out for scammers posing as HMRC, even if youâre not submitting a tax return.
There were more than 915,000 reports of HMRC scams last year, with many exploiting the economic difficulties of the pandemic and confusion around the governmentâs changing guidelines.
Familiarise yourself with fraudstersâ sophisticated techniques and the most common tactics so you donât get caught out.
Thursday
21 Jan 21
đ¨Scam Alert: Amazon gift card email requests
Itâs a new twist on an old scam: fraudsters are hacking into email accounts and targeting contacts to buy them Amazon gift cards.
The message is phrased as asking for a favour so they can buy a present for a ânieceâ.
See the examples our members have sent to us and find out more about dealing with emails from hacked accounts.
Wednesday
30 Dec 20
đ¨Scam Alert: COVID-19 vaccine scam text
Fraudsters are taking advantage of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout through a cruel but convincing text in an attempt to steal peopleâs personal and financial details.
The text contains a link that leads to a very believable but bogus NHS website with an application form to register to take the vaccine.
Hereâs what we know so far and what the text and site look like.
Wednesday
23 Dec 20
đ¨Scam Alert: fake DPD âmissing addressâ email
People are expecting more parcels at this time of year, and scammers have seen an opportunity.
Scammers know thereâs a chance many of us might be more likely to hand over information or payment in return for a package thatâs waiting to be delivered.
We show you a fake email purporting to be from courier company DPD and advise what to do if you receive any emails like this.
Saturday
28 Nov 20
đ¨Scam Alert: COVID-19 ‘vitamin pill’ cold calls
With the rollercoaster of restrictions taking place, so many of us are determined to stay as fit and healthy as possible. Unfortunately this attracts trouble.
A go-to tactic for cold callers thatâs been on the rise this year is pretending to be from the NHS or local health services offering low quality, cut-price vitamins and supplements.
Itâs a trick to take your bank details and regular payment without your permission. Here’s what to watch out for.
Wednesday
04 Nov 20
đ¨Scam Alert: parking penalty charge email
A fake email claiming to be from the HM Courts and Tribunals Service is doing the rounds in an attempt to steal your bank details.
Not only do the scammers give you a fake fine, but they take it a step further by threatening to take you to court if itâs not paid within their given deadline.
We show you what the email looks like and provide our top tips on how to spot scam emails.
Thursday
08 Oct 20
đ¨Scam Alert: Amazon ‘brushing’ scam
We all love a good freebie, and receiving or being delivered a package you’ve not paid for might seem like a win but itâs likely to be âbrushingâ â a scam on the rise in which fraudulent Amazon sellers steal your identity.
Hereâs the low-down on brushing and what to do to ensure your Amazon account has not been compromised.
Here’s the low-down on brushing and what to do to ensure your Amazon account has not been compromised.
Thursday
10 Sep 20
đ¨Scam Alert: pension savers under threat
More than ÂŁ30m has been lost to pension scammers since 2017, with pots worth from ÂŁ1,000 to ÂŁ500,000 being targeted.
This is usually down to savers not knowing how much is in their pension pots and people unable to spot the signs of a scam.
Here are the different ways you may be targeted by pension scammers.
Thursday
27 Aug 20
đ¨Scam Alert: fraudsters faking cladding inspection forms
Leaseholders are being duped into paying thousands of pounds to fraudsters faking cladding inspections forms.
Scammers have forged the names and signatures of real chartered surveyors to pass or fail buildings.
We believe that some of these fake forms could be used to tender millions of pounds worth of construction work and fire safety measures to linked companies with vested interests.
Here are our findings and what to do if you receive such a form..
Thursday
23 Jul 20
đ¨Scam Alert: fake PayPal emails
PayPal is often a target for scammers looking for quick access to your money, so weâve looked at two examples from this year so you know what to look out for.
One informs the recipient that their account settings have changed, while another states the userâs account has been restricted.
Hereâs exactly what they look like and what to do if you come across either of these.
Friday
19 Jun 20
đ¨Scam Alert: Instagram phishing scam
Scammers are trying their luck on Instagram by sliding into usersâ private messages.
Itâs an attempt to convince you that a copyright violation has been detected on one of your posts while threatening your account with closure.
See exactly what this Instagram phishing message looks like.
Thursday
21 May 20
đ¨Scam Alert: COVID-19 council tax scam email
A fake GOV.UK email is circulating claiming that residents have qualified for a council tax reduction due to the pandemic.
With a promise of a refund, it attempts to trick you into handing over your personal and bank details.
There are a number of fake government emails like this doing the rounds, here’s what to watch out for.