Free scam-checking tools

Scams evolve and often become more sophisticated over time, but so do the tactics for detecting them. Whether it's a suspicious phone call or a potentially AI-generated image online, there are tools that can help you spot a con.

We asked our Which? Scam Action and Alerts Facebook community to tell us their favourite tools for spotting scams. 

Source: Which? (07 May 2026) 

Our latest scam warnings

Our dedicated team of fraud experts are always on the lookout for scams targeting people across the UK.

Recent tactics to be aware of include a DPD delivery text scam and fraudsters exploiting the Financial Conduct Authority's car finance compensation scheme. Check out the full list, based on your reports to our Which? Scam Action Alerts Facebook community and scam sharer tool.

Source: Which? (31 Mar 2026)

Scams doing the rounds right now

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)

The latest scams doing the rounds

We want to keep you up to date on the most recent scams targeting people across the UK.

The latest warnings to be aware of include a dodgy Costa Coffee email and a wave of fake Arthritis UK calls. Take a look at the full list, based on your reports to our Which? Scam Action Alerts Facebook community and scam sharer tool.

Source: Which? (09 Dec 2025)

Steer clear of fake Facebook competitions

Facebook users are being lured into expensive monthly subscriptions by scammers peddling 'mystery boxes' and cheap goods from retailers such as Boots, Decathlon and Screwfix.

These fake giveaways can result in repeated charges for subscriptions to random, unwanted websites. We expose the telltale signs to look out for and explain how to get your money back if you get caught by one.

Source: Which? (26 Nov 2025)

Meta earning billions from scam adverts

Meta users are exposed to 15 billion scam ads every day and Meta projected that 10% of its earnings in 2024, or $16bn, came from fraudulent ads for scams and banned goods, leaked documents show.

We examine why scams are so prevalent on Meta platforms, and reveal three recent fraud tactics used on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

Source: Which? (12 Nov 2025)

Which? logo used for fake hearing aid adverts

Scam adverts on Facebook promoting hearing aids imply that they’ve been endorsed by Which?, but this isn't the case.

In September, we were alerted to a series of dodgy adverts for hearing aids using the Which? branding. When we reported them they were removed after a few days. But these adverts have reappeared and despite repeated efforts to get them taken down, they remain live. Take a look at this scam to make sure you don't fall victim.

Source: Which? (29 Oct 2025)

LFB are facing a record number of e-bike fires for 2025, according to our latest data

 

As of 28 September, 165 e-bike and e-scooter fires have been recorded in London in 2025, including 134 e-bike fires, an average of around 18 e-bike or e-scooter fires a month.

 

If this trend continues for the rest of the year, London will surpass 200 incidents in a single year for the first time.

 

Tragically, one of these fires claimed the life of a 30-year-old woman after a fire broke out at a bedsit in Wood Green on 21 June.

 

Eden Abera Siem was discovered unconscious inside the property and rescued by firefighters, but she sadly died in hospital later that day.

Following an investigation by our Fire Investigation Team, the probable cause was the failure of a charging lithium-ion battery pack for an e-bike.

 

This was the fourth fatal fire involving an e-bike recorded in London and the first since 2023. In all four cases, the person who died did not own or use the e-bike involved in the fire.

 

We have also seen several other serious incidents across the capital resulting in life-threatening injury, serious burns, serious injury from jumping from a window and numerous rescues by firefighters.

 

Assistant Commissioner for Prevention & Protection, Pamela Oparaocha, said: “We continue to see the devastating consequences of e-bike and e-scooter fires in London. Our thoughts are with the family of Eden as well as all those who have been impacted by fires in recent years.

 

“Fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters are worryingly common in London. Since the beginning of 2023, we have attended a fire, on average, every other day, and some of these fires have destroyed homes and claimed lives.

 

“We launched our #ChargeSafe campaign in 2023 to highlight the fire risks with e-bikes and e-scooters; however the rising number of incidents we attend clearly demonstrate the urgent need for further awareness to help protect lives and avoid future tragedies.”

 

For vital information on how to safely store, charge and use your e-bike or e-scooter, please check out the #ChargeSafe area of our website.

 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/17Qw6J463C/?mibextid=wwXIfr 

Artificial intelligence scams are circulating

Last year, we exposed a global financial scam called Quantum AI, which uses artificial intelligence technology to impersonate well-known people, aiming to lure victims into dodgy investment schemes.

The scam has reappeared in recent weeks – we found 12 ads posted on Facebook and Instagram promoting Quantum AI. Take a look at these dodgy ads and find out how to avoid this type of scam.

Stay ahead of the scammers

 

Source: Which? (24 Jul 2025) 

An elaborate Facebook Marketplace scam

Scammers will go to extraordinary lengths to con you out of your money. Even after seeing official paperwork, carrying out independent checks and searching official registers, Sarah Harding from Somerset was left £7k out of pocket to a Facebook Marketplace scam.

Sarah's bank, Monzo, refused to reimburse her – find out what our scams expert advises them to do next.

Facebook Marketplace cons

Source: Which? (23 Oct 2024)

"Beware of "Is this you?" Scam on Social Media"

Yes, "Is this you in this video/photo?" is a common social media scam. Here's how it works and how to avoid it:

The Scam:

• You receive a message, often from a friend (whose account may be hacked), with text like "Is this you in this video?" or "This looks like you!"
• The message will likely include a link.
• Clicking the link takes you to a fake login page designed to steal your social media password. Once they have it, they can scam your friends or spread malware.

How to Avoid It:

• Don't click the link!
• If you're curious about the video/photo, reach out to your friend directly through another method (call, text message) and ask if they sent it. It's likely their account was hacked.
• Be suspicious of any messages asking you to click on a link, especially if they come from unexpected contacts.

Here are some additional tips for staying safe on social media:

• Be careful about who you friend/follow. Only connect with people you know and trust.
• Beware of messages that seem too good to be true. If someone is offering you something amazing, it's probably a scam.
• Never share your social media password with anyone.
• Use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts. Consider a password manager to help you keep track.

By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from social media scams.

If you think you may have clicked on a malicious link, report it to the social media platform and change your password immediately. Use 2FA as per https://bexleywatch.blogspot.com/search/label/2FA

Watch out for Jo Malone advent calendar scams

With Christmas fast approaching, advent calendars will soon be popping up everywhere. In September, scammers were quick to create fraudulent Facebook ads promoting the £350 Jo Malone advent calendar for just £30.

Always remember: if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Here are examples of these fake ads and scam websites that we've found to help you dodge this scam.

Bogus advent calendars

Source: Which? (11 Oct 2023)

Bexley Police warn of bogus callers offering garden work

Bexley Police are warning residents to be on the lookout for bogus callers who are offering to do garden work. The callers, who have been reported to have a red truck and one of them is very overweight, have been targeting older residents with overgrown gardens.

The police are advising residents to:

• Never open the door to anyone they don't know.
• Ask for identification.
• Never feel pressured into accepting an offer of work or service. Politely refuse.
• Never accept any offer to be taken to a bank to withdraw money.

If you think you have been targeted by a bogus caller, you should contact the police immediately.

Here are some additional tips to help you protect yourself from bogus callers:

• Keep your doors and windows locked, even when you're home.
• Install a security system.
• Get to know your neighbours and watch out for each other.
• Be aware of the latest scams and frauds.

By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from bogus callers.

If you are not already a member of your local neighbourhood watch, we encourage you to join. Neighbourhood watch schemes are a great way to help keep your community safe. You can learn more about them on this blog.

Source: Crayford Community on facebook

Join us for a Fun-Filled Day with Animals, Games, and Shopping! at the Easter Fair

click image to view enlarged

Hey everyone! Are you looking for a fun family event this Saturday? We've got you covered! Join us for an amazing day filled with animals, games, and shopping!

We have a mini farm with adorable animals like a donkey, pony, mini cow, and more! Kids and adults alike will love petting and interacting with these friendly creatures.

But that's not all! We've also got a games bus and plenty of outdoor games to keep everyone entertained. And if you need a break from all the action, step inside our market and check out our tables filled with Tombolas, cakes, wax melts, crafts, and so much more.

This is an event you won't want to miss! Join us from 11am to 3pm and bring your friends and family along. And don't forget to share this post with your community!

Source: Facebook

It starts with a message from a Facebook friend… who’s been hacked

Fraudsters are hacking Facebook accounts and sending convincing messages to friends, luring them into applying for a fake grant. These scammers use harmless conversation starters such as 'Hello, how are you doing mate?' and tell you about their day to convince you that you're talking to a friend.

They go on to say you could be eligible for a grant worth thousands of pounds and send you a link to apply, but don’t click it.

The scam is effective as it comes from your existing Facebook contacts and presents itself as a normal conversation. Here’s what to look out for and what to do if you encounter this scam.

Fake grant message

The article also includes how to check if your passwords or emails have been compromised and keeping your account safe (so you can try to avoid getting hacked yourself).

ICO Social media privacy settings Facebook factsheet (pdf)

Beware fake Meta (aka Facebook) page and suspect link

fake page with phishing link

Virustotal check of link

getsafeonline check

page opens to this site

getsafeonline check of link

Virustotal check of link flags malicious

One of the borough residents reported her Facebook page compromised and to click on a link to verify her account. As it was out of the blue, she suspected it was a fake link and that her page was compromised and reported it to Facebook.

From the relevant checks, it shows the link was suspicious and the landing page opened to a non-uk site. The link opens to a phishing page asking you "to enter your Email or phone number, Password and to Reenter your password" DO NOT DO THIS!*

Needless to say do no click on links that turn out of the blue. Take time to research and check this blog for advice and further information on similar scams.

Visit Facebook on Keeping Your Activity Authentic for further help. Visit Security Check and learn how to keep your account safe. If your account has been compromised, it is wise to immediately change your password with another unique secure one and to add extra protection enable two-factor authentication as shown in the Security Check link. *ONLY CHANGE YOUR PASSWORD, when logged in https://www.facebook.com/ from your profile by clicking on it, going to settings & privacy, settings, and Security and login.