Scams
Scammers send texts, emails, adverts and calls that look real. Many now use AI to copy faces and voices. Here are the most common scams in plain words, what to do if you have been caught, and our checks on scams going round now.
Report fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. Forward scam texts to 7726 and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Call 159 to reach most UK banks.
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Forward scam texts to 7726.
Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on 1-888-495-8501. Forward scam texts to 7726.
Report it at scamwatch.gov.au. If you lost money, report it to the police at cyber.gov.au and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 for free help.
Report it to your local police or your national fraud reporting service.
What happens: A text says your parcel is on hold and asks you to pay a small fee or update your address.
The giveaway: The link is not the delivery company's real website, and there is a tight deadline.
What to do: Do not click. Check your delivery in the courier's own app or website.
What happens: A caller says your account is under attack and asks you to move your money to a "safe account".
The giveaway: A real bank will never ask you to move money to keep it safe.
What to do: Hang up. Call your bank on the number on the back of your card, ideally from a different phone.
What happens: A message says you are owed a tax refund, or owe a fine or toll, and gives a link to pay or claim.
The giveaway: Tax offices and councils do not send links asking for bank details by text.
What to do: Go to the official government website yourself by typing its address.
What happens: An advert or video shows a famous person recommending an investment with big returns.
The giveaway: Huge or guaranteed returns and a famous face. Videos can now be faked with AI.
What to do: Never invest from an advert. Check the firm with your country's financial regulator.
What happens: A message from an unknown number claims to be your child or relative and asks for money urgently.
The giveaway: A new number and a request for money.
What to do: Call them on the number you already have. Do not pay until you have spoken to them.
What happens: A call sounds like a family member in trouble who needs money fast. AI can now copy a voice from a short clip.
The giveaway: Panic, secrecy and an unusual way to pay.
What to do: Hang up and call them back on a number you know. Agree a family code word.
What happens: A website or social media advert sells popular items at a very low price.
The giveaway: Prices far below normal, a brand-new website and a request to pay by bank transfer.
What to do: Pay by card rather than bank transfer, and look for reviews on other websites.
What happens: A call or pop-up says your computer has a virus and asks you to call a number or install an app.
The giveaway: Anyone asking to take control of your computer or phone.
What to do: Never let a stranger control your device. Close the page or hang up.
What happens: Someone asks you to read out or forward a code that was just sent to your phone.
The giveaway: Any request for a code. These codes are the keys to your accounts.
What to do: Never share a code with anyone, even someone who says they are from your bank.
What happens: Someone you met online becomes a friend or partner, then asks for money or suggests an investment.
The giveaway: You have never met in person, and money comes up.
What to do: Never send money or invest because of someone you have only met online.
What happens: A caller says they are from the police or a government agency, says you are linked to a crime and demands money.
The giveaway: Real police do not ask for payment, gold, cash or your card by phone or courier.
What to do: Hang up. Call the police back on a number you look up yourself.
What happens: A text or call says your electricity, gas or water will be cut off today unless you pay now.
The giveaway: A same-day cut-off threat and a demand to pay straight away.
What to do: Call your supplier on the number printed on your bill.
Scammers pretend to be US midterm candidates, campaigns or officials to take money or personal details. Campaign donations are never an investment, and you can check any committee on the FEC website.
Published 22 October 2026 · Read more ↗SCAM WARNINGScam?FALSEWhich? found adverts from firms the Financial Conduct Authority has warned about on Facebook, Instagram, Google and TikTok. Seeing an advert on a big platform does not mean the firm is genuine: check the FCA warning list first.
Published 14 October 2026 · Read more ↗SCAM WARNINGScam?FALSESocial media adverts for dental, weight-loss and asthma products use the names and logos of trusted British bodies that have nothing to do with them. Check claims on the organisation's own website before you buy.
Published 14 October 2026 · Read more ↗SCAM WARNINGScam?FALSEThe Financial Conduct Authority says a firm called Pilotrade AI is not authorised and may be targeting people in the UK. Check any investment firm on the FCA Firm Checker before you send money.
Published 14 October 2026 · Read more ↗SCAM WARNINGScam?FALSECriminals break into someone's account, then message their friends and family asking for money or selling fake tickets. If someone you know asks for money online, check with them another way first.
Published 10 October 2026 · Read more ↗SCAM WARNINGScam?FALSECallers say they have stopped an order for an iPhone on your Amazon account, then ask for a code sent to your WhatsApp. Never read a code out to anyone who calls you.
Published 10 October 2026 · Read more ↗SCAM WARNINGScam?FALSETexts pretending to be from the parking app RingGo say you have an unpaid parking balance and must pay within 24 hours. Do not click the link. Check your account in the RingGo app instead.
Published 7 October 2026 · Read more ↗SCAM WARNINGScam?FALSEScammers cold call saying they are police investigating fraud, or that a relative is in custody, then ask you to move money or hand over cash. Real police never ask for money or bank details on the phone.
Published 7 October 2026 · Read more ↗SCAM WARNINGScam?FALSEScammers phone pretending to be a doctor or surgeon and ask you to buy gift cards and send the codes. Hang up and call the clinic on a number you already trust.
Published 7 October 2026 · Read more ↗SCAM WARNINGScam?FALSEScammers push fake trading platforms through WhatsApp groups, word of mouth and copies of real news websites. If someone promises steady, high returns, stop and check before you send any money.
Published 7 October 2026 · Read more ↗
Illustration by Another AI Lie, made with an AI image toolFALSENo. In September 2026 Singapore police warned of a resurgence of fake task jobs, with at least 12 cases and at least S$71,000 lost since 25 August. The US Federal Trade Commission warns that these jobs end with you paying in your own money, and says real employers do not recruit this way. This reviews a documented pattern, not a particular offer.
Updated 27 September 2026 · Read more ↗
Illustration by Another AI Lie, made with an AI image toolFALSENo. On 17 September 2026 the FBI warned that criminals pretend to be police and government officials, and said real authorities will never phone or text to demand payment. Police in Canada and Pennsylvania issued similar warnings on 24 and 25 September. UK police say they will never come to your home to collect money or your bank card. This reviews a documented pattern, not a particular call.
Updated 27 September 2026 · Read more ↗
Illustration by Another AI Lie, made with an AI image toolFALSENo. On 16 September 2026 police in Dothan, Alabama said texts claiming a technician was about to disconnect services were fake, and that utility technicians do not text customers about shutoffs. The US Federal Trade Commission says real utility companies won't demand immediate payment to avoid same-day disconnection. This reviews a documented pattern, not a particular message.
Updated 26 September 2026 · Read more ↗
Illustration by Another AI Lie, made with an AI image toolFALSENo. On 21 September 2026 police on the Isle of Man said they had received a high number of calls about texts demanding payment of a traffic fine through a link. UK transport authorities and the US Federal Trade Commission have warned about the same kind of message. All of them say: do not click, and check any fine yourself through official channels. This reviews a documented pattern, not a particular message.
Updated 26 September 2026 · Read more ↗
Another AI Lie editorial illustrationFALSENo. On 7 September 2026 police in Northern Ireland said a victim lost £250,000 after seeing what appeared to be an AI-generated video of a well-known financial personality promoting an investment. Police say an advert or apparent celebrity endorsement should never be treated as proof that an investment is genuine. This reviews a documented pattern, not a particular advert.
Updated 23 September 2026 · Read more ↗
US Postal Inspection Service, via USPS Employee NewsFALSENo. The Postal Inspection Service identifies this pattern as impersonation. This is a review of its documented warning, not an assessment of a particular reader’s message or every parcel notification.
Updated 22 September 2026 · Read more ↗One short email on Fridays: the new scams we have checked and what to do about them. Unsubscribe any time.
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. Reporting details were checked on 26 September 2026. Another AI Lie is not linked to the organisations named. Example messages are made up unless we say otherwise.