Scam calls come and go in waves, but the same few stories keep coming back because they keep working. If you know what each one sounds like, you can usually recognise it within the first minute. Here are the ones we see reported most often, roughly in order of how common they are.
1. The bank "fraud team"
How it starts: a call, often showing a number that looks like your bank's, telling you a suspicious payment has been spotted on your account.
What they want: for you to read out a code sent by text, approve a payment in your banking app, or move your money to a "safe account" while they investigate.
The giveaway: your bank will never ask you to do any of those things. Hang up and call 159, which connects you to most major UK banks safely.
2. HMRC, the police or another government department
How it starts: often a recorded message saying you owe tax, your National Insurance number has been suspended, or there is a warrant out for your arrest. Press 1 to speak to an officer.
What they want: an immediate payment, sometimes in gift cards or cryptocurrency.
The giveaway: HMRC writes to you about tax you owe. It doesn't threaten arrest over the phone, and no government body takes payment in vouchers.
3. A parcel that couldn't be delivered
How it starts: a text or call saying a parcel is waiting and there's a small fee for redelivery or customs.
What they want: your card details on a fake payment page, which are then used for much bigger payments, often followed by a "bank" call to finish the job.
The giveaway: the message didn't come through the retailer you ordered from. Check deliveries through the shop's own website or app.
4. Tech support and broadband
How it starts: someone says they're from Microsoft, BT, Amazon or "your internet provider". Your computer has a virus, or your broadband is about to be cut off.
What they want: to talk you through installing software that lets them control your computer, then get into your online banking.
The giveaway: tech companies don't phone people out of the blue about viruses. Never install anything because a caller told you to.
5. The one-ring missed call
How it starts: your phone rings once and stops, usually from an international or odd-looking number.
What they want: for you to call back, which connects you to an expensive line charged by the minute.
The giveaway: genuine callers ring long enough for you to answer, and usually leave a message. Look the number up first.
6. Refunds, rebates and grants
How it starts: you're owed money: an energy rebate, a council tax refund, a government grant for insulation or solar panels.
What they want: your bank details "to pay the money in", or a small admin fee.
The giveaway: real refunds come through your supplier, council or the government directly. You don't have to pay to receive money.
7. Investment and crypto opportunities
How it starts: a cold call, a wrong-number text that turns friendly, or a contact from a dating site who mentions how much they've made trading.
What they want: a deposit into a trading platform that shows impressive fake profits, followed by more and more deposits.
The giveaway: guaranteed or unusually high returns, pressure to invest quickly, and a firm that isn't on the FCA register.
What they all have in common
- A sense of urgency, so you don't stop to think.
- A familiar name (your bank, HMRC, Amazon, Royal Mail) to borrow its trust.
- A request at the end for money, a code, personal details or remote access.
If a call has all three, hang up. If you're not sure, look up the number on Who Called Me Check and see whether other people describe the same script. Then contact the organisation yourself, using a number you trust.
Not sure about a call you had?
Look the number up to see what kind of line it is, where it's from and what other people said about it.