📋 Quick Summary: Phishing texts, romance scams, fake delivery messages, investment fraud, and holiday booking scams top the list. Always verify before you pay, and never click unexpected links.

Scammers are getting smarter, but knowing what to look for is your best defence. Here are the 10 most common scams targeting UK families in 2026 — and how to avoid them.

1. Phishing Texts and Emails

Still the number one threat. Scammers send messages pretending to be your bank, a delivery company, or a government service. They want you to click a link and hand over your personal details.

Red flags: Urgent language ("Your account will be closed!"), fake sender addresses, and links that don't match the official website.

2. Romance Scams

Fraudsters build fake relationships on dating apps and social media — sometimes over months — before asking for money. They'll claim it's for a plane ticket, a medical emergency, or a business opportunity.

The reality: The person on the other end isn't who they say they are. In 2025, romance scams cost UK victims over £90 million according to Action Fraud data.

Never send money to someone you've only met online, no matter how convincing their story sounds.

3. Fake Delivery Text Messages

"Your parcel is on hold — pay a £1.99 redelivery fee." This scam text pretends to be from Royal Mail, DPD, or Evri. The link takes you to a fake website that steals your card details.

What to do: Never click links in unexpected delivery texts. Go directly to the courier's official website and track your parcel there. Learn how to spot phishing messages with real UK examples →

4. Investment Scams

Fake investment opportunities promising huge returns with no risk. Scammers advertise on social media, often using fake celebrity endorsements or "guaranteed" crypto trading platforms.

Remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Always check with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register before investing.

5. Holiday Booking Scams

With summer holidays being booked months in advance, scammers create fake villa listings, bogus flight deals, and non-existent package holidays. They take your deposit and vanish.

Warning signs: Prices that are suspiciously low, pressure to book immediately, and requests to pay by bank transfer rather than a credit card.

6. QR Code Scams (Quishing)

Scammers stick fake QR codes over legitimate ones on parking meters, restaurant tables, and public notice boards. When you scan the code, it takes you to a fake payment page.

Stay safe: Always check the URL after scanning a QR code. If it looks suspicious, don't enter any details.

7. Impersonation Calls

Someone calls pretending to be from your bank, the police, or a well-known company like Amazon. They claim there's suspicious activity on your account and need you to move money to a "safe account."

This is always a scam. No legitimate organisation will ever ask you to move money to a different account or share your full password.

8. Cryptocurrency Investment Scams

Fake crypto trading platforms promise life-changing returns. Victims are shown fake portfolios with massive profits to encourage them to invest more — but when they try to withdraw, the money is gone.

According to CyberAware UK's threat monitoring, crypto scams remain one of the fastest-growing fraud types in the UK, with losses often running into tens of thousands per victim.

9. Pension Scams

Fraudsters target people aged 45-65 with promises of "once-in-a-lifetime" pension investment opportunities. They encourage victims to transfer their pension pot before retirement.

Warning: Be extremely wary of anyone contacting you out of the blue about your pension. Contact The Pensions Regulator or an independent financial adviser before making any changes.

10. Ticket Fraud

Concerts, football matches, festivals — scammers sell fake tickets on social media, Gumtree, and third-party resale sites. The tickets either never arrive or turn out to be duplicates.

Buy tickets only from official resale partners like Ticketmaster, See Tickets, or AXS. Avoid paying by bank transfer.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Stop — pause before handing over money or personal details
  • Check — verify the person or company independently
  • Report — forward suspicious messages and report scams to Action Fraud

Already Been Scammed?

Act fast. Your next steps depend on what happened:

Staying informed is the best defence. Bookmark this page and share it with older relatives who may be less aware of the latest tactics. CyberAware UK regularly publishes updates on emerging scam trends — check back often to stay one step ahead of the fraudsters.