How to spot a scam email or phone call

If a scam has ever caught you out, or nearly has, please do not feel embarrassed. Modern scams are professionally made and designed to rush you into acting before you think. Knowing the common signs is the best defence there is, so here is what to watch for.

They create a sense of panic

Almost every scam tries to make you feel worried or rushed. Your account will be closed, there is suspicious activity, you owe money, a parcel could not be delivered. That pressure is deliberate, because a worried person makes quick decisions. A genuine bank or company will never mind you taking your time to check.

Look closely at who it is really from

Scam emails often show a friendly name but a strange email address behind it. On a computer you can hover over the sender or a link to see where it truly goes. If the address is a jumble of letters or does not match the company, be very suspicious. On a phone, remember that a caller ID can be faked, so the number showing your bank's name does not prove anything.

Watch for odd wording and details

Awkward phrasing, spelling mistakes, a greeting like Dear Customer instead of your name, or a logo that looks slightly off are all warning signs. Scammers send millions of messages, so they rarely get the small details right.

Nobody legitimate asks for these things

This is the golden rule. A real bank, Microsoft, your broadband provider or the tax office will never phone out of the blue and ask for your full password, your PIN, a one-time security code, or remote access to your computer. If anyone asks for those, it is a scam, full stop.

• ✓Your full password or PIN
• ✓A security code sent to your phone
• ✓Remote access to your computer
• ✓Payment in gift cards or cryptocurrency

What to do if one reaches you

Stop and take a breath. Do not click links, do not call the number in the message, and do not let anyone talk you into installing anything. If you are worried it might be genuine, contact the company yourself using a number from their official website or the back of your card. And if you have already acted, turn the computer off and call someone you trust, including us.

• ●Urgency and panic are the biggest warning sign
• ●Check the real sender address, not just the display name
• ●No genuine company asks for passwords, codes or remote access
• ●When in doubt, contact the company using a number you trust