Dosh dilemma: Simone’s bank said her money wasn’t safe. Should she have moved it?

Simone received a message that appeared to be from her bank. It claimed suspicious activity had been spotted on her account and that her savings could be at risk.

A few minutes later, she received a call from someone claiming to be from the bank’s fraud team. They sounded professional, knew her name and explained she needed to move her money into a “safe account” while they investigated.

The caller sounded convincing and urged her to act quickly.

But something didn't feel quite right, so Simone hung up before making any transfers. Now, she's worried that her money might be at risk.

What should she do next?

Simone may have been targeted by a bank impersonation scam. Fraudsters pretend to be from a bank to frighten people into handing over personal details or transferring money.

They make calls and messages look genuine, sometimes even making a real bank's phone number appear on the screen.

They use urgency and fear to pressure you into acting before they have time to think.

One of the biggest warning signs in Simone's case was the request to move money into a “safe account”.

A genuine bank will never ask someone to transfer their money to another account to keep it safe.

What should Simone do now?

There are a few steps she can take to protect herself.

Don't transfer any money or share personal details

Simone did the right thing by hanging up. She shouldn't move her savings, share passwords or PINs, or reveal any security codes, even if someone claims to be from her bank.

Contact her bank directly

Simone should contact her bank using the number on the back of her bank card, on an official bank statement or through its official app. She shouldn't call back using a number provided by the caller or click any links in the message.

Check her account is safe

She should explain what happened and ask her bank to check for suspicious activity. The bank can confirm whether anyone has tried to access her account and advise whether any further security measures are needed.

Act quickly if she's shared details or sent money

If Simone has shared personal or banking information, or transferred any money, she should contact her bank immediately using its official contact details.

Her bank can help secure her account, block any compromised cards or access, and advise whether the money can be recovered. She should also report the suspected scam to the appropriate fraud-reporting service.

How can Simone spot a scam next time?

Scams can look convincing, so it's important to remember a few simple rules:

• Don't let anyone rush you. Take time to check unexpected calls and messages, even if someone claims your money is at risk.
• Never move money to a “safe account”. This is a common tactic used in bank impersonation scams.
• Check independently. End unexpected calls and contact your bank using a trusted phone number or its official app.
• Keep your security details private. Never share your full PIN, password or one-time security codes with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.

Simone was right to trust her instincts and hang up. But she shouldn't ignore the message altogether. Contacting her bank directly will help her check whether her account is safe and whether any further action is needed.

If someone claims your money is at risk and tells you to transfer it somewhere safe, don't follow their instructions. End the call, contact your bank directly and let them check whether there's a genuine problem.