🔐 Top Scams to Watch Out For in 2025
1. Online Shopping Scams
• Fake websites selling counterfeit or non-existent goods.
• Often promoted via social media ads or phishing emails.
• Tip: Always verify the site’s legitimacy and look for secure payment options.
2. “Hi Mum/Hi Dad” Text Scams
• Scammers impersonate children using a new number, claiming they need urgent money.
• Emotional manipulation is common — they often say they’ve lost their phone or are in trouble.
3. Authorised Push Payment (APP) Scams
• Victims are tricked into transferring money to fraudsters posing as banks, HMRC, or service providers.
• Santander reported over £16.7 million stolen in Q3 2025 alone.
4. Advance Fee Scams
• You’re asked to pay a fee upfront for a loan, prize, or job offer that never materializes.
• These surged in mid-2025, especially targeting those in financial distress.
5. Parcel Delivery Scams
• Fake texts or emails claim you missed a delivery and ask for payment or personal details to reschedule.
• Often mimic Royal Mail, DPD, or Evri branding.
6. Tech Support Scams
• Calls or pop-ups claim your device has a virus and urge you to install software or share access.
• Increasingly sophisticated, sometimes using AI-generated voices.
7. Investment and Pension Scams
• Promises of high returns or early pension access.
• Often target older adults or those nearing retirement.
8. Ghost Broker Insurance Fraud
• Fake insurance policies sold online, especially for car insurance.
• Victims only discover the fraud when trying to make a claim.
9. Identity Theft via Data Breaches
• With Windows 10 support ending, millions of devices are vulnerable.
• Cybercriminals exploit outdated systems to steal personal data.
🛡️ How to Stay Safe
• Never share personal or banking details via text, email, or phone unless you initiated the contact.
• Verify requests independently — call the company directly using official contact details.
• Use strong passwords and update software regularly.
• Report scams to Action Fraud or your bank immediately.