How to protect yourself from phone scams
Mobile phones are everywhere. We use them for online banking and to make payments in store. But risks come with these powerful little devices.
In the UK, we are experiencing an unprecedented number of attempted telephone frauds, especially those over the age of 75[1] . Nearly 75% of these fraud attempts are carried out via telephone+ or mobile, 60% through voice calls and 11 % via text messages.
But phone scams can hit people of all ages, so it’s crucial you know how to protect yourselves and your private information.
What are phone scams?
Phone scams involve criminals tricking you into revealing personal or financial details over the phone, text or email. Scammers often aim to infect your device with harmful software or convince you to share sensitive information. They typically pose as trusted organisations, such as your bank, to steal your money.
There are various methods used to carry out phone scams. Here we highlight common types and provide tips to help you safeguard your money and personal information.
What are the common types of phone scams?
Voice mail scams (vishing)
Fraudsters pretending to be someone trustworthy leave a deceptive or alarming voicemail on your phone to manipulate you into calling back. Once you do, they attempt to get your private information.
SMS phishing (smishing)
This is when you receive a text message pretending to be from a trusted organisation, such as a bank, delivery service, or government agency. The text messages often have a sense of urgency, asking you to click a link or provide financial information.
But the link in these messages is malicious – once you click on it, it’s likely to install malware on your device that helps fraudsters get access to your phone and private information. So, it’s important you never click on any suspicious links.
Bank scams
You receive a call or message from someone pretending to represent your bank. They claim your account is at risk and insist that the only way to secure your funds is by transferring them to a ‘safe account’ or providing your card information.
Keep in mind that banks will never ask for your online banking details or request money to be transferred to a different account.
Mobile virus scams
Fraudsters trick you into believing your phone is infected with a virus. They urge you to take action by clicking a link and downloading software, but this actually installs malware onto your phone, which is then used to steal your information.
Fraudsters can also gain remote access to your device. They don’t need to be in the same physical location as you, or even be in the same country, to gain access to your phone. As a result, it’s always best to avoid clicking or opening any suspicious links.
Tip: Find the company’s website and locate the phone number or information to feel confident you’re using the correct information. This will help you avoid clicking on fraudulent links or phone numbers.
HMRC scams
The HMRC is a legitimate UK government department, but this doesn’t stop fraudsters from using its name.
These scams involve an automated phone call from someone claiming to be from HMRC saying there's an issue with your tax refund or an unpaid tax bill.
They might also say HMRC is filing a lawsuit against you, and to press 1 to speak to a caseworker to make a payment.
Or you might receive a text message offering you a tax refund in exchange for personal or financial details. The message encourages you to click on a link.
HMRC advises you not to open any links or reply to text messages claiming to be from HMRC in relation to tax refunds. They also advise you to end (or not respond) to any suspicious phone calls.[2]
How to protect yourself from phone scams
Follow these six tips to stay protected:
1. Keep payment details to yourself
Banks will never contact you asking you to transfer money or to share your details. If you’ve been asked to share payment details, or if you’re suspicious about who you’re talking to, you should cut off all contact immediately.
2. Create secure passwords
How strong are your passwords? To protect your private information, you need to make sure you’re not reusing passwords across accounts and devices.
Try to use random characters, numbers and a mix of upper and lower case letters to make it as hard as you can for someone to access your information.
3. Don’t let anyone rush you
Criminals are eager to get your payment details quickly, so don’t let yourself be rushed.
If you feel like you’re not able to concentrate properly on a call or don’t have enough time to really understand what’s being proposed, politely say you’ll call the company back later. Do this using a number that you have in your records or from the company’s official website.
4. Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers
If you receive a call from a number you don’t recognise, it’s best to be cautious and avoid picking up. If you do interact with a call, hackers will continue to contact you as they know you might respond.
5. Avoid phishing emails
If you receive an email from someone claiming to be from a bank or financial institution, approach it with caution.
Banks will never request your banking information through email or by directing you to a link, so avoid clicking on any links.
Even if an email appears genuine, don’t trust it. Instead, reach out to your bank directly using their official phone number to verify whether it came from them.
6. Use a VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) helps protect you from phone scams by encrypting your internet connection, making it harder for scammers to intercept sensitive data like your passwords or financial details.
It also hides your IP address, reducing your online footprint and limiting the amount of personal information fraudsters can gather about you.[3]
How to report scam phone calls
- If you’ve lost money or been hacked, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or report it on the Action Fraud website
- Forward any suspicious text messages and numbers used in suspicious calls to 7726
- Report any scams to your bank
If you’ve ended up being the victim of a phone scam, you should immediately contact your bank or other financial providers to block your accounts and credit cards. Then change your passwords for all your accounts and keep an eye out for unusual transactions.
FAQs
Who can I contact if I’ve received a scam call?
If you’ve received a scam phone call, hang up immediately. Then contact 7726 or report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040. If you’ve shared any bank details, you should contact your bank straight away.
What can I do if I’ve received a suspicious email or text?
If you’ve received scam messages or emails, you can report it to the National Cyber Security Centre. It has the power to investigate and remove scam websites.
What is phone vishing?
Phone vishing is a type of phishing attack carried out over the phone. Fraudsters pretend to be someone from a legitimate organisation and use techniques, such as fake caller ID, to get your information.
What is SMS phishing?
SMS phishing is a fraud carried out over SMS text messages. Fraudsters send you a text message, often including a malicious link, encouraging you to click on it and enter your personal details.
What are one ring scams?
One ring scams, also known as missed call scams, are when fraudsters call you but only let the phone ring once. They hope you’ll see the missed call and phone back. But if you do, you’ll be charged high international fees.
What is a cold call?
A cold call is a phone call out of the blue from a company or person that you haven’t dealt with before, who are attempting to sell you their goods or services.
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