Knowledge is your best defence against fraud. Learn how scammers operate, recognise the warning signs, and protect yourself and your loved ones.
£1.2B+
Lost to scams in UK (2023)
300K+
Reported fraud cases yearly
78%
Scams start online
£90M+
Recovered by NexClaim
Work from home jobs that ask for money
Task scams, also known as job or employment scams, prey on people looking for flexible work-from-home opportunities. Scammers pose as legitimate companies offering easy money for simple tasks like liking social media posts, watching videos, or completing surveys.
"A victim was contacted on WhatsApp about 'liking YouTube videos' for £5 each. After earning £30 in the first day, they were told to 'invest' £200 to access premium tasks. They lost £2,000 before realizing it was a scam."
When transactions are made without your consent
Unauthorised transaction fraud occurs when criminals access your bank account or card details and make payments without your knowledge or consent. This can happen through data breaches, skimming devices, phishing attacks, or malware.
"A customer's card details were stolen via a fake retail website. Over £5,000 was spent on electronics across multiple transactions before the bank flagged suspicious activity."
Fake brokers or advisors pretend to be experts
Cryptocurrency scams exploit the complexity and hype around digital currencies. Fraudsters pose as crypto experts, brokers, or investment platforms, promising guaranteed returns on Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies.
"A victim invested £10,000 in a crypto platform after seeing 'Elon Musk' promote it on social media. The fake platform showed 300% returns, but when they tried to withdraw, they were told to pay a 20% 'release fee'. Total losses exceeded £15,000."
Enticing but ultimately fraudulent investments
Investment scams involve fraudsters offering fake investment opportunities in stocks, bonds, forex, commodities, or property. They use sophisticated tactics to appear legitimate, often mimicking real financial companies.
"A retired couple lost £180,000 to a cloned investment firm. The scammers used the name and FCA number of a legitimate company but provided different contact details. The money was transferred to accounts controlled by the fraudsters."
Criminals pretending to be your bank with the right information
Safe account scams (also called impersonation or authorised push payment fraud) involve criminals pretending to be from your bank, the police, or other trusted organisations. They convince you to transfer money to a 'safe account' they control.
"A victim received a call appearing to come from their bank's fraud line. The 'advisor' knew their name, address, and that they had an account with the bank. Panicked by warnings of hackers, they transferred £45,000 to a 'safe account' which was actually the scammers'."
Paying for goods or services you never received
Purchase scams occur when you pay for goods or services that don't exist or never arrive. Fraudsters create fake websites, social media shops, or marketplace listings to steal your money.
"A buyer found a Nintendo Switch for £150 on a Facebook marketplace listing. They paid via bank transfer as requested. The seller blocked them immediately after payment. The gaming console never arrived."
Fraudsters create fake relationships to steal money
Romance scams involve criminals creating fake online identities to form romantic relationships with victims. Over time, they build emotional connections and trust before fabricating emergencies to request money.
"A widow met a 'US Army surgeon' on a dating app. Over 8 months, she developed strong feelings. He asked for £15,000 for 'leave papers' to visit, then £30,000 for medical equipment seized at customs. Total losses: £85,000 before family intervened."
Scammers create urgency. Legitimate organisations give you time to think.
Contact companies directly using numbers from official sources, not those provided by callers.
Never share PINs, passwords, or security codes. Banks will never ask for these.
If something feels wrong, it probably is. It's okay to say no and walk away.
Be suspicious of unsolicited contact, especially about money or investments.
Discuss important financial decisions with trusted friends or family before acting.
Don't suffer in silence. We've helped recover over £90 million for fraud victims. Start your free claim assessment today.