How to Spot a Scam Call — Every Time

You pick up the phone. A friendly voice says they’re from your bank. There’s been “suspicious activity.” They need you to “move money to a safe account.”

This is the most common scam in the UK right now.

The Golden Rule

Your bank will never ask you to move money to a “safe account.”

Anyone who says this is a criminal. Hang up immediately.

The 5-Second Checklist

1. Asking for personal info? (PIN, password, full DOB) → HANG UP
2. Creating urgency? (“Your account will be frozen”) → HANG UP
3. Asking you to transfer money? (“Safe account”) → HANG UP
4. Offering a refund you didn’t ask for? → HANG UP
5. Caller ID shows a real number? (They can fake it) → Hang up and call back on the official number

The “Hang Up and Call Back” Rule

This single action stops 99% of phone scams:

1. Hang up
2. Wait 5 minutes (scammers sometimes stay on the line)
3. Find the official number (on the back of your card, or the company’s website)
4. Call them back and ask if the call was genuine

AI Voice Cloning — The New Threat

Criminals can now clone someone’s voice using just a few seconds of audio from social media. You might get a call that sounds exactly like a family member in trouble.

What to do: Ask a question only they would know. Or say “I’ll call you back” and ring their actual number.

Who to Report To

• Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040
• Suspicious texts: Forward to 7726 (free on all UK networks)
• Your bank: Call the number on the back of your card

Share this with someone older than you. They’re the most targeted.