Scam help
Scammers are clever. A simple rule beats them.
These scams catch careful, sensible people every day. This page tells you what they sound like and what to do, in plain English. Advice last checked October 2026.
The one rule
Hang up. Don’t press any buttons.
Then check for yourself, using a number or website you already trust, or ring us.
A real company won’t mind you checking. A scammer will try to stop you.
The scams we hear about most
The details change, but the tricks stay the same. See if one sounds familiar.
Fake Amazon calls
What happens: A recorded voice says there is a problem with your Prime subscription, an order you didn’t place, or suspicious activity. It asks you to press a key or speak to someone. Often they want your login or card details, or want you to install software.
What to do: Hang up. Amazon won’t ring about orders you aren’t expecting, take payment details over the phone, or ask you to install anything. Check “Your Orders” on the Amazon website or app yourself.
Fake Microsoft calls and pop-ups
What happens: A caller says your computer has a virus, or a loud pop-up appears with a phone number to ring. They ask you to install a program so they can “fix” it, then ask for payment, sometimes in gift cards.
What to do: Hang up, or don’t ring the number. Microsoft doesn’t ring people out of the blue, and its warning messages never show a phone number. If a pop-up won’t close, hold the power button to switch off, then ring us.
Fake bank or police calls
What happens: Someone says your account is in danger. They ask you to move money to a “safe account”, or to hand over cash, a card or your PIN. The number on your phone screen can be faked.
What to do: Hang up. A real bank or the police will never ask for these, and won’t mind waiting. Ring your bank on the number on the back of your card, or dial 159.
Fake test results emails
What happens: An email or text says your blood test or other test results are ready. It has an attachment, or a link asking you to log in or pay. It plays on worry so you click without thinking.
What to do: Don’t open it. Results don’t arrive as unexpected attachments. If you are waiting for any, ring your surgery or hospital on a number you already have.
Parcel and delivery texts
What happens: A text says a parcel couldn’t be delivered and asks for a small fee through a link. The link goes to a fake page that collects your card details.
What to do: Don’t tap the link. Check with the delivery company’s own app or website, and forward the text to 7726.
“Your account is locked” emails
What happens: An email says your account is locked, a payment failed or a subscription is renewing, with a button to “sort it out”.
What to do: Don’t use the button. Type the company’s website address yourself and look there. Forward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Three rules to remember
Never let a caller install software.
Not to fix a virus, and not to give a refund. Once they are on your computer, they can see everything.
Never read out codes.
A code sent to your phone is a key to your account. No genuine caller needs you to read it out.
Don’t be rushed.
Pressure and urgency are the scammer’s main tool. Stop, put the phone down and take a few minutes.
Already clicked, paid or given details?
Please don’t feel embarrassed. It happens to clever, careful people every day, and acting quickly makes a real difference.
1
Ring your bank now
Use the number on the back of your card, or dial 159. Tell them what happened and ask them to stop any payments.
2
Change your passwords
Start with the account they asked about, then any other account that uses the same password. Do it from a device you trust.
3
Switch off the computer
If you installed anything for a caller, switch the computer off and ring us. We’ll check it over and clean it up.
4
Report it
It helps stop it happening to someone else. The details are just below.
If you paid by card, your card provider may be able to help you get the money back, so tell them too.
Where to report a scam
Fraud and cybercrime
Report Fraud: reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, ring the police on 101.
Scam emails
Forward them to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Scam texts
Forward them to 7726.
Your bank
Ring the number on the back of your card, or dial 159.
Scams using Microsoft’s name can also be reported at microsoft.com/reportascam. For Amazon, use “Report a scam” in Amazon’s Help pages.
Not sure? Ring us first.
There’s no such thing as a silly question when it comes to scams. We’d rather hear about one that wasn’t than miss one that was.