Spotting and stopping scams
Last reviewed: June 2026
Scams are tricks designed to part you from your money or your personal details, and they reach us in all sorts of ways: by phone, by text, by email, by post, online, and at the door. The most important thing to know is that anyone can be caught out. Scammers are professional, clever and very convincing, and falling for one is never a sign of being foolish. The good news is that a handful of simple habits will keep you safe, and there is plenty of help if something does go wrong. Here is how to spot a scam, and how to stop it.
How scams reach you
It helps to know the usual disguises. A phone call might claim to be from your bank, the police, or the taxman, warning of some problem and urging you to act at once. A text or email might pretend to be from your bank, from a delivery company about a missed parcel, or from the taxman about a refund or a fine, with a link to tap. The post might bring news of a win on a lottery you never entered, asking for a fee to claim it. And online there are fake shops, dishonest investment offers, and even people who strike up a friendship and then ask for money. They can all look very genuine indeed.
The tell-tale signs
Almost all scams share a few warning signs, and spotting even one is reason enough to stop. Be on your guard if you are contacted out of the blue, if you are pressured to act immediately, or if you are asked for money, your bank details, your PIN or a password. Be especially wary of anyone telling you to move your money to a "safe account," asking you to pay by gift card, voucher or bank transfer, or urging you to keep it all a secret. And do remember the old rule: if something seems too good to be true, it almost always is.
The golden rules
A few firm rules will see off most scams. Your bank, the police and the taxman will never ask for your PIN or your full password, never ask you to move money to a "safe account," and never send someone to your home to collect your card or your cash. Never give your details to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly, and never feel rushed, because it is perfectly fine to hang up, delete the message, or simply say no. If a call worries you, hang up and ring the organisation back yourself on a number you trust, such as the one on the back of your bank card. Do not tap links in unexpected texts or emails, and if in doubt, check with someone you trust first.
A simple way to check a call about your bank
If you ever get a call that claims to be from your bank and something feels off, there is an easy way to be sure. Simply hang up and dial 159. It is a free, trusted service that connects you straight through to your own bank, much as 101 reaches the police or 111 the NHS. The number 159 will never call you, and only a fraudster would ever object to you using it, so it is a safe way to check whether a call was genuine. Most of the major banks take part.
Protecting yourself day to day
There are some easy steps that cut down the nuisance in the first place. Registering free with the Telephone Preference Service reduces unwanted sales calls, and a call blocker on your phone can help too. It is worth being careful about what you share online, using strong passwords, and shredding old letters that show your name, address or account details. Our guide on getting online has more on staying safe on the internet.
If you think you have been scammed
First of all, please do not be embarrassed, because it happens to a great many people, and acting quickly is what really matters. If you have paid money or shared your details, contact your bank straight away, by calling 159 or the number on your card, as they may be able to stop or recover the money and must refund you in certain circumstances. Then report it to Action Fraud, the national centre for reporting fraud, on 0300 123 2040 or at actionfraud.police.uk. And if you ever feel threatened, or a scammer turns up at your door, call 999. Our guides on cold callers and bogus officials and on recognising financial abuse may help too.
Reporting scams that come by text, email or post
Even if you have not lost anything, reporting a scam helps to protect others. You can forward a suspicious text to 7726, which is free, forward a suspicious email to report@phishing.gov.uk, and report postal scams to Royal Mail. Each report helps the authorities track down and block the people behind them.
Help to feel more confident
If you would like to feel more confident about spotting scams, Friends Against Scams offers free, simple awareness sessions for anyone who wants them. Here in Derbyshire, the county council and police also offer a free online digital MOT, a quick way to check how safe you are online. And if a scam has left you shaken, Victim Support is there to help, with both practical advice and a listening ear.
Look out for one another
Scammers often target people who are on their own, simply because there is no one nearby to talk things over with. So it is well worth having a chat about all this with older relatives, friends and neighbours, and looking out for one another. And if you, or someone you know, would value a regular, friendly phone call, perhaps to talk through a suspicious letter, or just for the company, our befriending service here at BrightLife is always glad to help.
Where to get help, locally and nationally
Close to home, across Chesterfield, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire:
- The police, on 999 in an emergency or if a scammer is at your door, and on 101 to report a crime.
- Citizens Advice, for advice and to report a scam to Trading Standards. For Bolsover and North East Derbyshire, call 0808 250 5702.
- Derbyshire County Council's free online digital MOT, to check how safe you are online.
Across the country:
- Dial 159 to reach your bank safely if you are ever unsure about a call.
- Action Fraud, on 0300 123 2040 or at actionfraud.police.uk, to report fraud.
- Forward scam texts to 7726, and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
- Victim Support, on 0808 168 9111, for support after a scam.