Published on:
01 September 2021
There isn’t a week that goes by where scams aren’t in the news one way or another.
From being scammed by a fake website, to getting a phone call from someone pretending to be your bank – they are on the rise.
Here's how to spot and report fake websites and pharming scams, and how to protect yourself should they happen again.
Phishing scams take the form of a what looks like a legitimate email from a brand or company that you recognise. Cybercriminals use the names of larger companies as they prey on the idea that recipients trust this brand and would expect to receive emails from them.
Common phishing emails might be from HMRC, your bank, Apple and Amazon who claim that you need to click a link to update your account, or a refund has been awarded and therefore they need your account details. These are more than likely fake emails.
Even if you think you know the sender they might not be who they say they are. A rule of thumb is to never click on something you are unsure of, as by clicking on that link you’re going to be taken to a fake website which collects your information.
There are a number of ways to determine whether an email is genuine:
If you think you’ve been targeted by a scam, you should report it so it can be investigated. You can do this through the Financial Conduct Authority website using their reporting form
It’s hard to tell the difference between a genuine site and the fake site that you’ve been taken to, especially if it’s from a company you recognise. However, think before you click.
If you’re unsure about a financial services company, check the FCA register of regulated companies. If they’re not on it, don’t have anything to do with them.
If you’re unsure about any other kind of company, you can look them up on Companies House to find out their background, or search for reviews online.