Reporting and Spotting Scams
Scams are designed to trick people into giving away money, personal details or access to their accounts. They can affect anyone, but older and more vulnerable people are often targeted, so recognising the warning signs is essential.
Firstly, scammers use many tactics – emails and texts, fake websites, cold calls and doorstep visits – and they often create a sense of urgency or fear to pressure people into acting quickly. If something feels “too good to be true”, it usually is.
The Different Types of Scams
Postal Scams
These arrive through the post and may look official or personalised. Common examples include fake prize draws, unpaid bills, inheritance letters and requests for money. If you receive unexpected mail asking for payment or personal details, ignore it and throw it away. Never call premium-rate numbers beginning with 09.
Telephone Scams and Cold Calls
Scammers may pretend to be your bank, the police or a trusted company. They might claim there’s been fraudulent activity and ask for your PIN or account details. Remember: your bank or the police will never ask for this information over the phone. Hang up if something feels suspicious.
Doorstep Scams
Doorstep scammers may pose as tradespeople, charity workers or officials. Moreover, they often claim your home needs urgent repairs or ask to check your bank details or ID. Always ask for identification and never feel pressured to make a decision on the spot. Genuine organisations will understand if you want to verify their details first.
Online and Email Scams
Online scams are increasingly sophisticated. Fake websites can look identical to real ones, and phishing emails may appear to come from your bank, HMRC or even a friend.
Therefore, look out for:
- unexpected emails asking for money
- requests to confirm bank details
- messages about tax refunds, a genuine organisation will never ask for sensitive information by email. When shopping online, use strong passwords and check that the website address begins with ‘https://’ and shows a padlock symbol.
Keep your antivirus software active and avoid replying to suspicious emails, as this confirms your address is active.
Pension and Investment Scams
Scammers may offer “free pension reviews”, “guaranteed high returns” or “exclusive opportunities”. They can be persistent and may appear knowledgeable about your finances.
Stay safe by:
- ignoring unsolicited pension contact
- avoiding pressure to act quickly
- checking advisers with the FCA. If something feels wrong, report it to the FCA or Action Fraud.
Dealing With and Reporting Scams
Scammers often sound professional and convincing. To protect yourself:
- verify contact details independently
- check tradespeople are properly registered. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 999. For non‑emergencies, call 101. If money has been taken, contact your bank straight away using the number on the back of your card or by calling 159.
The Emotional Impact of Scams
Being scammed can be upsetting and embarrassing, but it’s important to remember that anyone can be targeted. Scammers are skilled at what they do, and staying silent only helps them continue.
Therefore, talk to someone you trust and report what happened. Sharing your experience helps protect others and reduces the power scammers have.
About Caremark Gloucester and Stroud
If you are worried about a loved one, and the possibility of them being scammed? If so, have you spoken to them about getting some support? We can provide care and support to your loved one as little or as much as they want to help maintain their independence.