Scams

If you get a text message from the Metropolitan Police in the next 48 hours asking for help fighting fraud, don't ignore it. The organisation is sending text messages to 70,000 people who may have been targeted by fraudsters using a sophisticated online tool to spoof the phone numbers of legitimate companies such as banks. 

Common tactics used by fraudsters to con victims out of their pensions have been revealed by the financial watchdog. The alert comes as more people are withdrawing pension savings as a result of the cost of living crisis. Here's what you need to watch out for.

Watch out for fake text messages claiming to be from the Government, inviting you to apply for the £400 energy bill support. They're a scam – the £400 will be paid automatically. You do not need to apply. 

Criminals are increasingly trying to capitalise on the cost of living crisis by targeting households with bogus offers of rebates, grants and support payments. But official Government support payments are usually automatic, so if you get a request for information out of the blue via text, email, or phone call – be wary. 

Action Fraud, which collects reports of fraud on behalf of the police, has issued a warning for people to beware of fake text messages claiming to be from Ofgem, the energy regulator, which offers bogus £400 rebates. But this is a scam and you should not reply to it.

If you're applying for a loan, or have recently done so, watch out if you're asked to pay an upfront fee. Scammers have been increasingly tricking people into paying an 'advance fee' - and sometimes multiple fees - for a loan they will never end up getting. Here's what to watch out for.

MoneySavingExpert (MSE) founder Martin Lewis has backed calls by consumer group Which? to tighten the wording within the forthcoming Online Safety Bill to ensure search engines, not just social media companies, are forced to prevent fraudulent ads from appearing on their platforms. As it stands, search engines only have to "minimise" fake ads.

Beware scam emails wrongly telling you to click a link to sign up for both a council tax rebate and an energy bill discount. It comes as MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) has received several reports from individuals who've received these emails. Here's what you need to watch out for.  

A number of British Airways customers have emailed MoneySavingExpert.com after receiving bogus emails advertising what appears to be a new sustainable investment product offered by the airline and managed by investment bank Credit Suisse. But you should ignore the email as it's a scam - here's all you need to know. 

Holidaymakers should watch out as new data from Lloyds Bank shows travel-related scams have increased by a third over the year to March, with fraudsters targeting those booking package holidays, flights, hotels and caravans. Here’s how to try and avoid them - and what to do if you've been scammed.