Scam guides
The twelve tricks that reach phones and inboxes most often, each with a made-up example, the tell that gives it away, and what to do. They are the same tricks you practise spotting in Scam Town.
- Parcel delivery scam textsCouriers don't charge surprise fees by text. A missed parcel waits for you for free, and a card through the door or the courier's own app tells you what happened.
- “Your account is locked” scamsThe link goes to a page that only looks like your bank's. Never sign in from a link in a message: open the bank's app, or type its address yourself, and see if anything is really wrong.
- Someone asking for your codeNo real company, and no real friend, ever needs the sign-in code sent to your phone. The code is only for you to type into the app yourself.
- The bank “safe account” scamA real bank never asks you to move money to protect it, and never tells you to keep secrets from bank staff. A “safe account” always belongs to the scammer.
- “Hi Mum, I lost my phone”A sudden money request from family on a new number. Call them on the number you already have, or ask something only they would know.
- Prizes that need a feeYou can't win a draw you never entered, and a real prize never costs you money to receive.
- Refunds that want your card detailsA tax refund never needs your card number. Tax offices pay refunds through your official tax account, or by post.
- Jobs where you pay to get paidA real job never asks you to pay money in before you're paid. The moment a “job” asks for a top-up, it's a task scam.
- Savings that doubleFast, guaranteed returns, and a fee to take your own money out, mean the money was never there.
- “We've changed our bank details”A business's bank account doesn't change by message. Check with them using a phone number you already had, not one in the email.
- Look-alike links and sendersOne letter off in a web address or email. Press and hold a link (or hover over it on a computer) to see where it really goes before you open it.
- Gift card paymentsNo real bill, fine or tax is ever paid with gift card codes. Anyone asking for them is a scammer.
Practise spotting it
In Scam Town you get letters, texts and calls like these, decide which are real, and see the tell after every answer. You can also build scams yourself from ready-made pieces, which is the fastest way to learn how they work. It's free and plays in your browser.
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