How to Stop Scammers in Their Tracks: Key Lessons from Today’s Channel 5 Broadcast

In today’s episode of Matt Allwright on Channel 5, consumer champion Matt was joined by fraud prevention expert Harleen Nottay to break down the latest tactics fraudsters are using—and, more importantly, how we as a community can protect ourselves.

At Bexley Neighbourhood Watch, keeping our local residents safe from fraud is a top priority. Here is a roundup of the core advice and action points highlighted during today’s show.

1. The Golden Rule: Stop, Challenge, Protect

Scammers rely heavily on creating a sense of urgency—whether they claim your bank account is compromised, a parcel couldn't be delivered, or a family member is in emergency financial trouble.

• Stop: Take a moment to pause. Legitimate organizations, banks, or police officers will never pressure you into making an immediate financial decision or transferring funds on the spot.

• Challenge: Ask yourself: Could this be fake? It’s okay to reject or ignore requests for personal information. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

• Protect: If you suspect a contact is fake, report it immediately and contact your bank using the trusted number on the back of your card.

2. Common Scam Tactics Highlighted Today

• Number Spoofing: Criminals can fake the caller ID displayed on your phone to make it look like your bank or the Metropolitan Police are calling. Tip: Hang up immediately. Wait at least 5 minutes (or use a different phone) to ensure the line is clear, then call the official organization directly.

• Suspicious Texts (Smishing) & Emails (Phishing): Never click on links in unsolicited messages claiming you owe money or need to update account details.

• Safe Account Lies: No real bank or police department will ever ask you to transfer money to a "safe account." If someone tells you to do this, it is a scam.

3. Actionable Tips to Protect Yourself & Neighbours

1. Use the 159 Hotline: If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from your bank or credit card provider, hang up and dial 159. This secure, national hotline routes you directly to your bank's genuine customer service team.

2. Report Suspicious Messages:

   • Texts: Forward scam text messages free of charge to 7726 (which spells 'SPAM').

   • Emails: Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.

3. Set Up Call Blockers: For elderly or vulnerable relatives in Bexley, consider setting up landline call blockers or checking if their phone provider offers free nuisance-call shielding.

4. Talk to Your Neighbours: Scammers thrive in isolation. Check in on your neighbours and share these tips. If a crime is currently in progress or someone is at your door, call 999.

Need Further Support?

If you think you have lost money to a scam, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Stay vigilant, look out for one another, and let's keep Bexley safe!

— Your Bexley Neighbourhood Watch Team

Watchpoint: Stopping Fraud - click to view enlarged

🚨 The UK's Christmas Scam Warning: Don't Let Cyber Grinches Steal Your Festive Cheer! 🎁

As the tinsel goes up and the carols start playing, the UK's festive season unfortunately ushers in another tradition: the surge of scams. This Christmas, cyber criminals are sharpening their tactics, and staying one step ahead is your best gift to yourself and your loved ones.

Based on current trends, here’s a critical breakdown of the threats you need to watch out for this holiday season, and the simple steps to keep your cash and data safe.

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🛍️ The Scams to Look Out For

The core threats remain the same, but the methods are getting sneakier. Be on high alert for:

• Fake Online Sales & Suspicious Websites: That "too good to be true" discount on social media or a random website? It almost certainly is. Fraudsters create convincing fake online shops to steal your money and payment details.

  • Stay Safe: Always check for the padlock symbol and 'https://' in the website address. If you've never heard of the retailer, do a quick search for independent reviews first.

• Deceptive Delivery Scams: With the massive postal rush, texts or emails pretending to be from Royal Mail, Hermes, or DPD claiming a missed delivery or requiring a small payment to re-schedule are rife.

  • Stay Safe: Never click the link in an unsolicited delivery message. Track your parcel directly through the courier’s official app or website. Forward suspicious texts to 7726 and emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.

• Phishing Emails and Texts (Smishing): Whether it’s a refund offer from a fake HMRC or an urgent bank activity notification, these messages pressure you to hand over details.

  • Stay Safe: Official organisations like HMRC or your bank will never contact you out of the blue asking for personal details or to transfer money. Stop, challenge, and verify any request by calling them back on a number you know to be genuine (e.g., from their official website or the back of your bank card).

💳 The Rise of the Gift Card Scams

This is a favourite for fraudsters because once the card is redeemed, the money is practically untraceable.

• Payment Demands: The biggest red flag is a demand for payment via a gift card. No legitimate company, bank, or government body (like HMRC) will ever ask you to settle a bill, fine, or unlock an investment by purchasing an Apple, Amazon, or any other gift card. It is always a scam.

• Counterfeit and Drained Cards: Be wary of fake or tampered-with physical gift cards sold by unauthorised third-party websites or even in stores where criminals have stolen the card's details and PIN, waiting to drain the balance as soon as you load it.

  • Stay Safe: Only buy gift cards directly from a trusted retailer or their official website. Inspect the packaging for any signs of tampering before purchase.

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👤 Why Cyber Criminals Do It

It helps to understand the motives behind the attacks. It's rarely personal; it's almost always about profit.

• 💰 Money, Money, Money: Whether it's the large payout from a ransomware attack, selling stolen data (like card details and passwords) on the dark web, or directly draining your bank account through a phishing link, financial gain accounts for the vast majority of cybercrime.

• 🛡️ Competition & Espionage: Corporate sabotage is also a major driver, with rivals or third parties trying to steal trade secrets or disrupt business operations—especially in tech or manufacturing.

• 😈 FIG (Fun, Ideology, and Grudges): While less common, some attacks are driven by a simple desire for attention, a political/ideological message, or personal vendettas.

They are driven by profit, which is why your vigilance is their main obstacle. Tools like robust email security (Proofpoint, OnDMARC, etc.) and anti-malware software are essential first lines of defence for businesses, but for individuals, your own cautious mindset is the most powerful tool.

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📞 What to Do if You are Targeted

1. Stop! Think! Check! If a message or call tries to rush or pressure you, it's a scam.

2. Contact Your Bank Immediately: If you’ve lost money or provided financial details, call your bank straight away.

3. Report the Scam:

   • Phishing Emails: Forward to report@phishing.gov.uk

   • Suspicious Texts (Smishing): Forward to 7726

   • Lost Money/Hacked (England/Wales): Report to Action Fraud online or call 0300 123 2040. (In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101).

By being alert and taking a moment to verify, you can ensure your Christmas remains merry, bright, and, most importantly, secure.

Summary

5 must-know tips to stay safe online:

1. NEVER pay with gift cards. (Scam!)

2. Don't click links in unexpected delivery texts.

3. If a deal is too good, it's fake.

4. Verify urgent requests by calling the company back on a trusted number.

5. Always look for the 🔒 https:// on shopping sites.

Stay vigilant & have a safe Christmas! #UKScams #CyberSafety #Christmas2025

Don't Get Hooked! The UK is Fighting Back Against Phishing Scams – Here’s How You Can Help

It's a digital world out there, and unfortunately, that means a constant barrage of sneaky scams trying to reel us in. But here in the UK, we're not just sitting ducks – far from it! Recent figures show a monumental effort from the public in reporting suspicious emails and texts, leading to significant disruption of cybercrime.

As of April 2025, an incredible 41 million phishing scams have been reported to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) since its launch in April 2020. This astounding collective action has empowered the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to take down a staggering 217,000 scams across 393,395 website pages. That’s a serious dent in the criminals' operations!

Who Are They Impersonating?

Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, has revealed that the top industries impersonated in these reported phishing attempts are familiar faces: streaming services, tech and telecommunication companies. Even various UK government schemes have been mimicked, highlighting the diverse tactics criminals use to trick us.

Your Phone is Your Weapon: Reporting Texts and Calls

It's not just emails. Those annoying spam calls and suspicious text messages can also be reported, and it makes a real difference. By forwarding suspicious text messages to 7726, a free service offered by mobile network providers, you're helping to remove scam websites and allowing networks to block those sending scam texts. Between April 2020 and April 2025, over 27,000 scams were removed thanks to this simple action.

Superintendent Amanda Wolf, Head of the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau at the City of London Police, stresses the importance of every single report: "Every phishing email reported helps us gain a better understanding of the tactics being used and enables us to tackle it head on by identifying malicious URLs trending in phishing emails and texts - they can be taken down and disrupted, preventing further activity. The more reports received, the more people we can protect, preventing them from becoming victims."

Sarah Lyons, NCSC Deputy Director for Economy and Society Resilience, echoes this sentiment: "Since 2020, over 41 million phishing attempts have been reported to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service — a powerful sign that the public is staying alert to online threats, helping to protect themselves and others."

So, What Exactly Is Phishing?

In simple terms, 'phishing', ‘quishing’ (using QR codes), or ‘smishing’ (via text messages) is when criminals use fake communications – emails, texts, QR codes, or phone calls – to trick you. Their goal? To get you to click a malicious link, scan a fraudulent QR code, or divulge personal and financial information on a genuine-looking but fake website. They often impersonate well-known brands or organisations you already have a connection with to make their scams more convincing.

How Can You Protect Yourself? Stay Alert!

The key is to STOP, THINK FRAUD. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

If you’ve received an email that doesn’t feel right, STOP!

• Break the contact: Don’t reply, click on any links, call any phone numbers, or make any payments.
• Check if it’s genuine: Contact the organisation directly using a known, correct email address or phone number (e.g., from your utility bills, their official website, or by calling 159 for banks).
• Before you delete it, forward it to: report@phishing.gov.uk

If you’ve received a text message that doesn’t feel right, STOP!

• Break the contact: Don’t reply, click on any links, call any phone numbers, or make any payments.
• Check if it’s genuine: Contact the organisation directly using a known, correct email address or phone number.
• Forward the message for free to: 7726

If you’ve received a call that doesn’t feel right, STOP!

• Hang up!
• Check if it’s genuine: Contact the organisation directly using known, correct contact details.
• Don’t trust Caller ID: It can be faked!
• Report it: Send a text to 7726 with the word ‘call’ followed by the scam caller’s number.

For more comprehensive advice on protecting yourself from fraud, visit: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/

What if you've been caught out?

If you've unfortunately lost money or provided financial information as a result of a phishing scam, notify your bank immediately. Then, report it to Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

Every report counts. By staying vigilant and reporting suspicious communications, we're all playing a crucial part in making the UK a safer place online. Don't get hooked – keep reporting!

Source: Action Fraud (02-06-2025)