Fake bank adviser or fake police

How it works

1. The alert

   A text about a suspicious payment, then a call. The number on your screen can look exactly like the real one.¹

2. The fear

   “Your account is being hacked. We must act now.”

3. The action

   They ask you to approve or “cancel” operations in your banking app, which actually sends them money.¹

4. The courier

   Sometimes a “courier” or “officer” comes to collect your card.²

What the evidence says

• Scammers often already know your name and bank details, which makes the call feel real.¹

Warning signs

• Any request for codes, PINs or passwords.
• A “safe account” to move your money to.
• Someone coming to your home to collect a card or cash.

Protect yourself

• Hang up. Call your bank yourself on the number on your card. In the UK, call 159.³
• Card blocking services never call you. You call them.²
• Never approve an operation in your app because someone on the phone asked you to.

See a demonstration