Scams cost us £3 million a day

Scammers are stealing more than £3 million every day in the UK. But new research shows many of us still aren’t taking the basic steps that could stop them.

The Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign has found that while over half of us (51%) regularly check our bank accounts, most people skip some of the easiest and most effective ways to stay safe.

• Only 9% chat to someone they trust before acting on something suspicious
• Just 27% question or challenge dodgy-looking requests
• And only 39% pause to think before clicking a link or replying to a message

That’s a lot of people being caught out, simply because they’re acting too fast.

 “Fraudsters don’t play fair”

Scammers rely on pressure. They’ll pretend to be someone official, create a false sense of urgency, or try to make you panic. Why? Because when you’re flustered, you’re more likely to hand over personal details or money.

Catriona Still from Take Five explains: “They want you to act quickly, without thinking. But it’s always okay to stop, take a breath, and check things out. A genuine company will never rush or pressure you.”

Your inner circle could be your best defence

Interestingly, most of us turn to loved ones when it comes to protecting our money. Two in five people say their partner is their most trusted money adviser, while a quarter say they’d go to their mum and 23% say dad.

Fraud prevention isn’t something you have to do alone. Talking it through with someone you trust can make all the difference.

Here are three simple steps to take to protect yourself from scams:

1. Stop
   Take a moment before clicking, tapping, or replying.
2. Challenge
   Ask yourself - does this feel right? Is it genuine? Real businesses won’t mind you checking.
3. Protect
   Think you’ve been scammed? Contact your bank straight away and report it to Action Fraud.

You can find more information and ways to spot a scam here: How to outsmart online scammers and Top scams to watch out for in 2025