Stay safe from scams
Fraudsters are finding new ways to trick people every day, whether through phone calls, text messages or online. These scams can feel convincing, but remembering a few simple rules can help protect your money and personal information.
Staying safe on the phone
One of the most common ways scammers target people is by phone. If you receive a call from a number you don’t recognise, it’s safest to let it go to voicemail. Most phones now have caller display, which can help you screen calls. Add trusted friends and family to your contacts so their names appear clearly and let unfamiliar numbers ring out.
Criminals can disguise their identity to look like a genuine business, the police or even a family member, so do be careful even with Caller ID. Genuine organisations will never ask you to share bank details, PINs or passwords, or request gift cards as payment.
If you’re unsure, hang up straight away. To check, call your bank using the number on your card or statement, ideally on a different phone line, as scammers can sometimes keep a call open briefly.
Scammers may pretend to be a loved one in distress, even using AI to imitate voices. If something feels unusual or someone doesn’t “sound right”, check by contacting them another way or having a family password.
Above all, don’t let anyone rush you. A genuine caller will always give you time to think.
Staying safe online
The internet offers many opportunities but also risks. A common tactic is to send emails or texts that look as though they’re from a trusted organisation, asking you to click a link or open an attachment. Always pause before taking action. Banks and other official bodies won’t ask you to share personal details by email.
Fraudsters can also fake the “from” address to make messages look genuine. Check the sender’s full email address and if it looks odd or unfamiliar, delete it. If you receive suspicious emails, delete them without clicking anything.
Software updates often include important security fixes, so it’s important to keep your devices up to date.
When shopping online, check that the web address begins with “https” and that a padlock symbol appears near the address bar. If the padlock is missing, don’t enter your personal details. Always check the web address, as it’s easy to make a website look like the official version. Use public Wi-Fi only for browsing – not for banking or entering payments.
On social media, think carefully about what you share. Scammers can use details such as your date of birth or pet’s name to guess passwords. Review your privacy settings regularly and only share what you’re comfortable making public.
These tips are covered in our digital courses, and your local Sight Loss Advisor can also run through them at a hub session or over the phone.
Reporting and support
If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit reportfraud.police.uk
Visit our website for trusted links to information on recognising and avoiding scams, protecting your personal data, and finding reliable advice from organisations such as Take Five, Friends Against Scams, the National Cyber Security Centre, the Metropolitan Police and Which?.
https://www.sightsupportwest.org.uk/resources/scam-advice/
Remember: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And if you ever feel unsure, it’s always safer to stop, think and check before acting.