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Scam calls
Do you know how to tell if it’s your bank on the phone or a fraudster? They can also pretend to be the police or a well-known company and will use your stolen details to try to convince you it’s a real call.
There are many clues to a typical scam call that you can use to catch a fraudster out and stay safe.
Fraudsters pretend to be real companies
Even if a phone number looks genuine and a caller seems to be helpful, it could be a fraudster. They want you to believe it’s a real company so you talk to give them a chance to trick you into moving your money to another account. Hang up.
Did you expect to get a call?
Fraudsters call anytime, without warning and always want you to move your money. Genuine companies would never do this. It’s not rude to hang up on calls like this. If you need to check, call on a number you trust. Never use a number given to you over the phone.
Fraudsters may have stolen your details
If your personal or banking details are stolen, fraudsters can use them to win your trust on a call. A scam email or text can trick you into giving them away. But if a caller knows your details, it doesn’t mean you have to trust them. Hang up to make sure they’re genuine.
Listen carefully and challenge
If you ask a fraudster why you need to move your money to another account, they’ll always have a good answer. Take your time to think about what they’re saying. Your bank would never tell you to move money, so hang up. Never let anyone tell you what to do with your bank account and money.
Do they want you to move money?
Why would your bank call to tell you to move money to another account? Fraudsters can say it’s because they’ve noticed fraud on your account, or that the bank is stealing your money. They’ll use any reason to get you to move money. Your only chance to keep your money safe is to hang up.
If we notice a problem with your account, we’ll always protect it and then contact you to sort things out. We'll never call to tell you to move money to another account.
You can check that we called you by hanging up then dialling 159 to talk with us.
Examples of other scam calls
If a caller wants you to download something or to share a bank passcode, they’re a fraudster.
Does a caller want you to download something?
Fraudsters can use the same tricks to pretend to be a well-known company. They call to ask you to download software, but if you do it gives them control of your computer or device. If you get a call like this, hang up.
Do they want your passcode?
If a caller wants you to share a passcode or activation code, it’s a scam. Hang up. Never share a code as it will let someone else use or set up an account. Find out about passcodes.
Your mobile or landline provider might offer a service that blocks unknown callers. And your mobile phone settings may give you that same option.
Other scams fraudsters use to trick you
Scam emails and texts are after your details, and to steal your money fraudsters use social media to offer items for sale or investment deals.
