Friends Against Scams
Friends Against Scams
What Are Scams?
A scam is when someone tries to trick you into giving them money, personal information or access to an account.
Scams can happen to anyone and can appear through emails, text messages, phone calls, social media, websites or even face-to-face. Learning how to recognise suspicious behaviour can help you protect yourself and other people.
Common Types of Scams
Scams can take many different forms. Examples include:
Phishing emails: Messages designed to look genuine that try to get you to click a suspicious link or provide personal information.
Suspicious text messages: Unexpected messages asking you to follow a link, make a payment or provide information.
Online shopping scams: Fake products, sellers or websites designed to take someone's money.
Social media scams: Fake accounts, competitions, messages or offers used to trick people.
Account scams: Someone pretending there is an urgent problem with an account and asking you to provide information or take action.
Impersonation scams: Someone pretending to be a person or organisation you trust.
How Can You Spot a Possible Scam?
Be cautious if a message or person:
Asks unexpectedly for personal or financial information.
Pressures you to act immediately.
Asks you to click an unfamiliar link.
Makes an offer that seems too good to be true.
Contacts you unexpectedly asking for money.
Claims you have won something you don't remember entering.
Tries to make you frightened or worried so that you act quickly.
A message looking professional doesn't automatically mean it is genuine.
Stop and Think
If you're unsure about a message, don't feel pressured to respond immediately.
Don't share passwords or personal information with someone you don't trust. If you receive something suspicious, show it to a parent, carer, teacher, tutor or another trusted adult.
What is Friends Against Scams?
Friends Against Scams is an initiative that helps people learn more about scams, how to recognise them and how they can protect themselves and others.
Learning about scams can help you become more confident when recognising suspicious messages or situations.
Protect Yourself and Others
Remember these three simple steps:
STOP: Don't let someone pressure you into making a quick decision.
CHECK: Think carefully about whether the message, website or person is genuine.
TELL: If something doesn't seem right, speak to a trusted adult and ask for help.
Anyone can be targeted by a scam. Being cautious and asking for help if you're unsure is always a sensible choice.
Coronavirus scam awareness poster from Friends Against Scams and National Trading Standards, warning about fake testing kits, vaccines, protective products, shopping and medication services, and home cleaning scams. Includes advice on recognising suspicious offers, protecting personal and financial information, and reporting scams.
Take the online training now to ensure you can protect yourself and others from becoming victims!