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Read MoreStay Informed. Spot The Warning Signs. Stay Protected.
Scammers are getting smarter, and the messages they send are becoming harder to spot. Scam Watch from The Geek Guys gives you straightforward advice about the latest email, text, phone and online scams – so you can recognise the warning signs before you click, reply, pay or give someone access.
Scams Are Getting Harder To Spot
Gone are the days when every scam email was full of spelling mistakes and obviously suspicious links.
Today’s scammers can impersonate banks, suppliers, delivery companies, Microsoft, HMRC, senior members of your team and even people you know.
They use familiar logos, convincing websites, believable email addresses and information gathered online to make their approach look genuine.
And increasingly, they’re using AI to make their emails, messages and even voices more convincing.
Their goal is usually simple: make you act before you have time to think.
Scam Watch is here to help you do the opposite.
Stop. Check. Verify.
We’ll use this page to share straightforward advice and regularly publish warnings about scams we’re seeing, hearing about or helping people deal with.
The Golden Rule: Stop. Check. Verify.
Most scams rely on one thing: getting you to act quickly.
You might be told your account will be closed, a payment is overdue, a parcel couldn’t be delivered or your boss urgently needs you to transfer some money.
The more urgent the message feels, the more important it is to slow down.
Before clicking, replying, paying or giving anyone access, stop and verify the request independently.
Simple Ways To Protect Yourself From Scams
A few simple habits can make it much harder for scammers to catch you out.
Before You Act, Ask Yourself…
Was I expecting this message?
Why am I being asked to act so quickly?
Is someone asking me to click a link, make a payment or provide sensitive information?
Can I verify this another way?
Does something about this just not feel right?
If you’re unsure, don’t take the chance.
Received a suspicious or scam email?
Report it to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to help them investigate scams and protect others from falling victim.:
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams/report-scam-email
Latest Scam Alerts
Scammers constantly change their tactics. Keep up to date with the latest scams, phishing campaigns and fraudulent messages we’re seeing and hearing about.
Common Types Of Scams To Watch For
Phishing emails are designed to look as though they’ve come from a trusted organisation or person. They often encourage you to click a link, open an attachment, enter your password or make a payment. Always check unexpected requests independently before taking action.
Scam text messages often pretend to be from delivery companies, banks, government organisations or other familiar brands. They commonly claim there’s an urgent problem and provide a link for you to resolve it. Avoid clicking unexpected links and visit the organisation’s official website yourself.
Scammers may pretend to be Microsoft, your IT provider or another technology company and claim there’s a problem with your computer or account. Be extremely cautious if an unexpected caller asks you to install software, provide security codes or give them remote access to your device.
Criminals may impersonate suppliers and ask you to send future payments to different bank details. Always confirm changes to payment information using a trusted telephone number or another established communication method before transferring money.
These scams involve criminals pretending to be a director, manager or colleague and requesting an urgent payment, gift cards, confidential information or another unusual action. If a request is unexpected, verify it directly with the person using a separate communication method.
A scammer may claim there’s a problem with your broadband, bank account or computer and ask you to install remote-access software. This can give them control of your computer and access to sensitive information. Never provide remote access following an unsolicited call.
Scam Watch FAQs
Don’t click links, open attachments, reply or provide any information until you’ve checked whether the message is genuine. Contact the organisation or person independently using contact details you already trust.
Don’t panic, but act quickly. If you entered a password, change it immediately from a trusted device and contact your IT support provider. If the same password is used elsewhere, those accounts should also be secured. If you’ve provided financial information, contact your bank directly.
Disconnect the device from the internet and contact your IT support provider as soon as possible. Don’t continue using the computer for sensitive activity until it has been checked.
Yes. Criminals can impersonate email addresses, compromise genuine accounts and use information available online to make messages more convincing. A familiar name or logo isn’t proof that a message is genuine.
Absolutely. Businesses are frequently targeted with phishing, fake invoices, payment diversion fraud, Microsoft 365 attacks and impersonation scams. Employees are often targeted because one convincing email can give criminals access to accounts, information or company funds.