Are you scam aware?

Introduction

From everyday banking to long-term savings and retirement planning, our financial lives are increasingly taking place online. The convenience of digital services has made managing money quicker and easier than ever.

But as more of our financial activity moves online, so do the tactics used by scammers. Staying scam aware is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself, your finances and your personal information.

What is a scam?

A scam is a dishonest attempt to steal money, personal information or sensitive data by deceiving someone. Scammers may often pose as an organisation you trust, such as your bank, building society or pension provider.

As of July 2026, the National Cyber Security Centre recorded more than 58 million reported scams. With this in mind, making yourself scam aware has become increasingly important to protect yourself and your finances.

How can you become more scam aware?

In the past, scams may have been easier to spot, with telltale signs like poor spelling or grammar in letters, emails or texts or offers that appear too good to be true.

Scams have now become more sophisticated with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) making them harder to recognise. But there are things you can do to help keep your money safe.

Ask yourself:

Is it expected?

Scammers will often contact you out of the blue. If you’re not expecting to hear from the organisation, question it. Why are they contacting you now?

If they usually contact you via letter or email, and now they’re calling or texting asking for information from you – question it.

Pay attention too to the name of the business contacting you. If you’re expecting to hear from your pension provider and you’re contacted by a company with a similar name, or they say they are acting on behalf of your pension provider, verify this using a trusted method of communication.

Do you feel pressured to act quickly?

Creating a sense of urgency is a tactic commonly used by scammers. For example, they may suggest that you or your money is in danger if you don’t act fast.

Offering a bonus or discount if you act within a specific timeframe is another tactic scammers may use to encourage you to act without thinking.

Putting you into a situation where you feel you must act quickly stops you from taking the time to question the request. And when you’re put into a pressured situation, you might not be able to think clearly.

Step away from the situation for a moment. Stop and think. Why do I need to act fast? Remember, legitimate organisations will give you time to think and won’t pressure you into making an immediate decision.

Is it too good to be true?

Scammers will often promise a tempting reward in exchange for getting you to complete an action or give them your personal information.

Be particularly cautious of unexpected investment opportunities, cash prizes or offers that promise unusually high returns with little or no risk. And, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Are you sure they’re who they say they are?

The key to every scam is gaining your trust. If you trust who you're speaking to, you're more likely to follow their instructions because you believe they're acting in your best interests.

If you have even an ounce of doubt about who you’re speaking to, stop the interaction and contact the relevant business yourself through a trusted route. If they're genuine, the organisation contacting you won't mind you taking steps to verify their identity.

If the interaction is happening via telephone call, it’s wise to contact the business using another device. That’s because some scammers may take over your phone, so when you call the legitimate telephone number to verify who they are, you’re actually still speaking to the scammer.

What should I do if I think I’ve been scammed?

If you think you’ve been scammed, it’s important to act quickly. The sooner you act, the better your chances of protecting your identity and your money.

Stop all communication

If you’re speaking with someone who you believe may be a scammer, end the conversation. Don’t click any links, download attachments or provide any further information.

Contact your bank or financial provider

If you’ve shared financial information or made a payment, contact your bank, card provider or relevant financial organisation straight away. They can help you to secure your account and advise on next steps.

Change your passwords

If you’ve shared login details or believe your account may have been compromised, change your passwords as soon as possible. Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication where you can.

Monitor your accounts

Keep a close eye on your bank accounts, credit cards and other financial services for any unexpected activity. Report anything you do not recognise immediately.

Report the scam

Reporting scams can help to prevent others from becoming victims. Depending on the nature of the scam, you may be able to report it to Report Fraud, who help those who have been affected by cyber crime and fraud.

Remember, if you receive contact from someone claiming to be from Wesleyan Group that you weren’t expecting, get in touch via a trusted route.