General Advice

Criminals use a wide range of methods to commit fraud and scams.

In authorised push payment scams (APP), criminals trick you into sending money directly from your account to an account controlled by the criminal. This is different to unauthorised scams; where authorisation isn’t provided, and the transfer is carried out by a third party. You would only know this has happened once you’ve checked your bank statement and found entries that you don’t recognise.

The use of social engineering tactics through deception and impersonation is a key driver of rising fraud levels. Social engineering is a tactic by which criminals groom and manipulate you into transferring money or divulging your personal and financial details.

In a deception scam, a criminal will typically pose as a someone from a genuine organisation such as a bank, the police, a retailer, utility company or government department.

These crimes can have a devastating impact. Organised criminal gangs which commit these frauds profit from the proceeds. This money may go on to fund illicit acts which damage our society – crimes such as terrorism, drug trafficking and people smuggling.

Take Five to Stop Fraud helps you to confidently challenge any requests for your personal or financial information or to transfer money to a criminal’s account. It focuses on financial frauds and scams directly targeting you.

To help everyone stay safe from fraud and scams, Take Five to Stop Fraud urges you to follow our campaign advice:

  • STOP: Take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information. It could keep you safe.
  • CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
  • PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve been scammed and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040.

If you or someone you care for has a learning disability, you may find our easy read guide on how to protect yourself from scams useful.

Stop

Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.


Challenge

Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.


Protect

Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve been scammed and report it to Action Fraud.

Scam warning: Criminals may purport to be from Take Five, using our official branding on websites, social media posts, literature, on the phone or by text. Take Five doesn’t provide endorsement or approval for any products/services and would never call or text anyone.