🛡️ Phishing Scams UK — How to Spot Fake Texts, Emails & Links
Phishing is how most UK scams start — a fake message that looks real enough to make you click, reply or pay. This hub collects every CyberAware UK phishing guide in one place: what to look for, what to do if you clicked, and free tools to check suspicious links before you act.
📚 Guides in this hub
Each guide is human-verified and checked against current UK scam reports.
What Is Phishing & How to Spot It
Plain-English breakdown of how phishing attacks work and the red flags to look for in any message.
2026 Scam & Phishing Prevention Guide
The full CyberAware UK prevention playbook: texts, emails, calls, QR codes and links — what to check before you act.
Smishing: Scam Text Messages
Fake SMS messages that impersonate banks, couriers and government services. How to recognise and report them.
Vishing: Scam Phone Calls
Fraudsters calling and pretending to be your bank, the police or your provider. Spot the script before it works.
QR Code Phishing (Quishing)
Fake QR codes on parking meters, parcels and emails that lead to lookalike login or payment pages.
I Clicked a Phishing Link — What Now?
Step-by-step damage control: what to do in the first minutes after clicking a suspicious link.
TV Licence Scam Emails
Fake refund and payment emails impersonating TV Licensing. What they look like and where to report them.
WhatsApp Verification Code Scam
The 6-digit code trick that can lock you out of your account — and how to take it back.
WhatsApp Video Call Scam
Deepfake-style video calls used to pressure victims into sending money or sharing codes.
"Hi Mum" WhatsApp Scam
The classic family emergency message — how fraudsters clone voices and identities to ask for money.
🔍 Got a suspicious link, message or website?
Scam URL Checker
Paste any suspicious link before you open it.
Email Breach Check
See if your email has appeared in known breaches.
Website Safety Check
Check whether a site is safe to enter details on.
Check it free with CyberAware UK before you click, reply or pay anything.
⚠️ Already clicked or paid?
Don't panic — act fast: contact your bank immediately, report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, and forward scam texts to 7726 or emails to [email protected].
I've been scammed — what do I do?
Guides reviewed by the CyberAware UK editorial team · How we verify