With over £371 million being stolen through unauthorised fraud in the first half of this year alone, we want to shine a light on how criminals can exploit the very tools that make digital life seamless by launching ‘Type Don’t Tap’.

Criminals have evolved and so must we. While phishing emails and scam texts are nothing new, the sophistication of convincing narratives and embedded links, often indistinguishable from legitimate ones, has reached a point where even the most tech-savvy consumers can be caught off guard. Our response? Encourage a behavioural pivot. Don’t just tap the link, type the address directly into your web browser.

Creatively leaning into those 1980’s style public service announcements, this campaign helps people take control in a digital first world – where a quick tap can lead to loss of personal or financial information. Typing a URL may feel arduous, but it creates a moment of pause that breaks the flow that criminals rely on.

To create the pause, we needed to understand the why. Why do people click on links? Because that’s how our connected world moves. Because speed and convenience have become instinct. Because tapping is just so much easier. Type Don’t Tap was designed to disrupt this reflex that people have become so reliant on.

Our clear and simple message ‘Type Don’t Tap’ breaks down fraud prevention into a simple mantra that can be easily understood and remembered.. Giving people a specific, repeatable behaviour that empowers them to protect their personal and financial information. As such, it means people have the power to check what’s legitimate and what’s not before giving away information that criminals try so hard to get their hands on.

We’ve used digital channels and social media to spread this message and reach young people in their digital bubble but also where scammers are most active. Members across the sector, as well as our wider stakeholders, have been crucial in amplifying this message and reaching people.

The Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign exists to empower people with simple actions that keep them safe from fraud and to: Stop, Challenge and Protect.

Because in a world of endless tapping, sometimes the smartest move is to stop.

Find out more at: www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/type-dont-tap

Take Five to Stop Fraud is a national campaign that empowers individuals and businesses across the UK to protect themselves against financial fraud. Led by UK Finance, in partnership with the banking and financial services sector, our mission is simple: to help everyone confidently challenge suspicious activity and protect themselves from fraud and scams.