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We want to keep you up to date on the scams targeting people across the UK right now.
Take a look at the full list of warnings to be aware of, based on your reports to our Which? Scam Action Alerts Facebook community and scam sharer tool.
Source: Which? (29 Dec 2025)
Technological advances, as well as political, economic and cultural change, are all leveraged by fraudsters to devise scams and make them more persuasive.
Our scams expert, Tali Ramsey, gives her prediction on which scams will be big in 2026 – check out the full list so you can be prepared for the new year.
Source: Which? (19 Dec 2025)
From artificial intelligence robot puppies to fake news reporting the arrest of Martin Lewis, there have been some downright bizarre scams popping up this year.
We've rounded up the strangest scams our experts have come across in 2025, take a look at what we found.
Source: Which? (19 Dec 2025)
If you’ve opened your inbox today and seen a panicked message claiming your photos and videos are about to be deleted, you aren’t alone. A high-pressure phishing scam is currently circulating in the UK, targeting users with threats of immediate data loss.
Here is everything you need to know to stay safe and why you should never click that attachment.
Looking at the screenshot provided, this email uses classic "social engineering" tactics designed to make you act before you think.
Artificial Urgency: The subject line screams "Your photos and videos will be deleted on 2025.12.29." By giving you a deadline of today, the scammers hope you’ll panic and bypass your usual caution.
The Suspicious Sender: The email comes from "Storage Notification 421." Real companies like Google, Apple, or Microsoft use verified, professional sender names and official domains (e.g., @microsoft.com), not generic names followed by random numbers.
The PDF Bait: Notice the attachment with the gibberish filename? Scammers use small PDF files to hide malicious links. Because many email filters are better at scanning text than PDF contents, this is a common trick to land in your main inbox.
Generic Branding: There is no official logo, no mention of which "account" is being blocked, and no personalized greeting.
If you open that PDF and click the "Take Action" link inside, you will likely be taken to a fake login page that looks identical to a real service (like iCloud or Outlook).
Credential Theft: If you enter your email and password, the scammers now have full access to your real account.
Identity Fraud: Once inside, they can steal personal documents, contact your friends for money, or reset passwords for your banking apps.
Malware: In some cases, clicking the link can trigger a download that installs "spyware" on your device.
If you receive an email like the one in the image:
DO NOT open the attachment. Do not click any links or "unsubscribe" buttons within the email.
Check your storage manually. If you are worried about your storage space, go directly to the official website (e.g., photos.google.com or icloud.com) or use the official app on your phone. Never use a link provided in an unexpected email.
Report it. Forward the email to the UK’s Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) at report@phishing.gov.uk.
Delete and Block. Mark the email as spam and delete it permanently.
If you’ve already interacted with the email or entered your details:
Change your passwords immediately for that account and any others where you use the same password.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). This adds a vital second layer of security that stops hackers even if they have your password.
Run an antivirus scan on your device to ensure no hidden files were downloaded.
Stay vigilant, UK. Scammers rely on your fear—don't give them the satisfaction.
We’ve recently had several reports from neighbours across the UK receiving unexpected Amazon parcels. While it might feel like a "secret Santa" moment, it’s actually a common tactic known as a Brushing Scam.
Here is what you need to know to stay safe and protect your data.
Scammers buy their own cheap products (like phone cases, seeds, or plastic trinkets) and ship them to real addresses found online. Because a tracking number is generated, the scammer can then post a "Verified Purchase" 5-star review on their own profile to boost their rankings.
In most cases, no. Your Amazon account hasn't been hacked, and you haven't been charged. However, it does mean your name and home address are likely on a leaked marketing list being used by unscrupulous sellers.
If a mystery parcel arrives with your name on it:
DON'T scan any QR codes: Some scammers include leaflets with QR codes that lead to phishing sites designed to steal your login details.
DON'T contact the seller: They are the ones scamming the system; engaging with them confirms your phone number or email is active.
DON'T leave a review: Even a negative one helps their "engagement" metrics.
DO report it: Use the
DO dispose of it: Under UK law, you are generally under no obligation to pay for or return unsolicited goods. You can keep it, donate it, or bin it.
Since your address is clearly "in the wild," now is a great time to change your Amazon password and enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) just to be safe.
Stay vigilant, and don’t let curiosity give the scammers a win!
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a new tool to help people protect themselves against scammers who pose as legitimate companies to commit fraud.
'Firm Checker' allows you to investigate whether a firm is authorised and has the correct permissions to provide financial services such as investments, pension plans, mortgages and insurance. We explain what the tool can do and when you should use it.
Source: Which? (12 Dec 2025)
Scammers are sending cards through the post which claim to be from Amazon and include dodgy QR codes. When scanned with your phone or tablet, these QR codes (the 2D barcode images made up of black and white squares) lead to dodgy websites that aim to steal your personal information.
The fake postcards claim to offer freebies through Amazon's 'Early Reviewer Program', which actually ended in 2021. Find out what they look like so you can spot one if it's posted through your door.
Source: Which? (17 Dec 2025)
Fraudsters are abusing Google's advertising platform, bypassing its checks and hiding behind the click-to-call feature. They are targeting customers of Three UK to try to trick them into giving away sensitive information.
Click-to-call instantly starts a phone call with a business when you click an advert on your mobile. It's theoretically a convenient way to get hold of a company, but scammers can create fake adverts that appear at the top of search results. Find out how these scams work and what you can do to avoid them.
Source: Which? (17 Dec 2025)
Here is everything you need to know about the new tech watching our roads and how to stay on the right side of the law.
The UK is moving toward a policy of total road monitoring. Unlike traditional cameras that simply clocked your speed and snapped a number plate, these modern systems use radar, high-resolution imaging, and machine learning to analyze what is happening inside the car.
This is the original UK 4D AI camera. First going live on the A23 in Lambeth in May 2023, it is now being rolled out further after successful trials [
Capabilities: It uses 4D radar to track vehicles across up to six lanes in both directions [
What it catches: Speeding, mobile phone use, unbelted occupants (including children), and even overloaded vehicles [
Database Link: It links directly to DVLA and insurance databases to check for untaxed or uninsured vehicles [
Often seen as a trailer or a van with a tall mast, this system has been making headlines in Devon, Cornwall, and Greater Manchester [
How it works: High-mounted cameras look through windscreens and side windows using infrared technology to work day or night [
The Result: In a single two-week trial, it detected over 400 seatbelt offenses and 160 mobile phone offenses [
These are the slim, stealthy gray boxes you might see on poles rather than bright yellow housings [
Capabilities: They enforce speed 24 hours a day without a visible flash, so you often don’t know you’ve been caught until the fine arrives [
Behavior Monitoring: Depending on the local police configuration, these can also be set up to detect phone and seatbelt use [
In East Riding of Yorkshire, AI is even being used to catch environmental offenders. The "Litter Cam" detects when objects are thrown out of a vehicle onto grass verges [
The classic yellow Gatso boxes aren't gone, but they are no longer the primary tool for police. Recent data shows that only about half of fixed camera sites actually contain working units [
The penalties for being caught by these AI systems can stack up quickly.
Speeding: Minimum £100 fine and 3 points [
Mobile Phone Use: £200 fine and 6 points (new drivers could lose their license instantly) [
No Seatbelt: Up to a £500 fine [
If a single AI camera catches you for multiple offenses at once, you could face over £800 in fines and up to 12 points—effectively ending your driving career in seconds [
The most effective way to avoid a fine is simple: stick to the limits, wear your belt, and put your phone away. However, there are legal tools to help you stay aware:
Navigation Apps: Apps like Waze and Google Maps are legal to use for camera alerts as long as your phone is in a proper mount and you do not touch it while driving [
Passive Detectors: GPS-based camera warning devices are legal in the UK [
Avoid Jammers: Using any device that interferes with police radar or laser signals is illegal and can lead to prison time for perverting the course of justice [
Final Tip: Remember that holding your phone at a red light is still illegal. AI cameras don't care if you are stationary; if the engine is on and you're in control of the vehicle, you're fair game [
Watch the full video for more details on these new systems:
The following table breaks down the core technologies and the typical fines associated with each offence.
| Camera System | Primary Focus | Penalty / Fine (Standard Fixed Penalty) | Penalty Points |
| Redspeed Sentio | Speed, Red Lights, Mobile Use, Seatbelts | £100+ (Speed) / £200 (Phone) | 3 to 6 points |
| Acusensus "Heads-Up" | Mobile Phone & Seatbelt Use | £200 (Phone) / Up to £500 (Seatbelt) | 6 points (Phone) |
| Jenoptik Vector SR | Speed & Red Lights | £100 minimum | 3 points |
| Litter Cam | Littering from Vehicle | Up to £500 (Civil Penalty) | None |
| HADECS 3/3X | Variable Speed Limits (Motorways) | £100 minimum | 3 points |
Speeding: While the minimum is £100 and 3 points, court fines can escalate to £1,000 (or £2,500 on motorways) depending on how much you exceed the limit.
Mobile Phone Use: The law is now "zero tolerance." Even holding a device while stationary in traffic (engine on) carries a £200 fine and 6 points. For new drivers (within 2 years of passing), this means an automatic license revocation.
Seatbelt Offences: You can be fined up to £500 for not wearing a seatbelt. As a driver, you are also responsible (and liable for the fine) if any passenger under 14 is not properly restrained.
Littering: Under the "Littering from Vehicles Outside London Regulations," the registered keeper is liable for the fine even if a passenger threw the rubbish. Most councils issue a fixed penalty of around £150, but this can reach £500 in some jurisdictions like Buckinghamshire.
If you are within the first two years of passing your test, your license will be revoked if you reach 6 points. One "phone offence" caught by an AI camera is enough to lose your license instantly.
To stay safe and avoid heavy fines, it is important to understand the practical "dos and don'ts" of UK road law as of 2025. Here is a definitive checklist for staying compliant.
The law is now absolute: if you are holding a device, you are breaking the law.
Mount it: Your phone or sat-nav must be in a fixed cradle or dashboard mount.
The "Hands-Off" Rule: You can use voice commands or steering wheel buttons, but you must not touch the screen or the device while the engine is running—even at red lights or in stationary traffic.
Set it before you go: Input your destination before you start the engine. If you need to change your route, pull over safely and turn off the engine first.
Placement matters: Ensure your mount does not block your view of the road. AI cameras can flag "obstructed vision" as an offence.
AI cameras specifically look for the "V" shape of a seatbelt across your shoulder.
Check the Kids: As the driver, you are legally responsible for ensures everyone under 14 is correctly restrained.
Height & Age: Children must use a child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135cm tall (whichever comes first).
The "Heavy Load" Trap: Some AI cameras (like the Redspeed Sentio) can detect if a vehicle is overloaded. Ensure you aren't exceeding your car's maximum weight limit.
Newer AI systems are increasingly linked to live databases (DVLA/MOT).
MOT & Tax: Ensure your MOT hasn't expired. AI cameras scan number plates and instantly cross-reference them with the national database.
Tyre Tread: While less common, some advanced mobile units are now trialling AI that can spot bald or dangerously worn tyres. Keep your tread above the 1.6mm legal limit.
Littering: Warn your passengers. If someone throws a cigarette butt or a wrapper out of the window, you (the registered keeper) will likely receive the fine in the post.
| Action | Legality | Penalty |
| Using a phone in a windscreen mount (voice-only) | Legal | None |
| Touching a mounted phone to change a song | Illegal | £200 + 6 Points |
| Holding a phone at a red light (engine on) | Illegal | £200 + 6 Points |
| Using phone for contactless payment at a drive-thru | Legal | None (if stationary) |
| Holding a phone while safely parked (engine off) | Legal | None |
If you are within the first two years of passing your test, your license will be revoked if you reach 6 points. Because a single mobile phone offence carries 6 points, one mistake caught by an AI camera will result in an immediate loss of your license.
If you receive a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) based on AI evidence:
Request the images: You are entitled to see the evidence the AI flagged.
Verify the review: In the UK, every AI-flagged offence must currently be reviewed by a human officer before a fine is issued.
Check for glitches: If you believe you were wearing a seatbelt (e.g., it was hidden by dark clothing), you can appeal the notice.
