Fraudsters are clever. They use psychology, technology, and pressure tactics to trick people into handing over money or personal information. 

The good news? Once you know the signs, scams become much easier to spot. 

Here’s what to look out for. 

 

The most common scam tactics 

Scammers rely on a few predictable tricks. If you know them, you’re already one step ahead. 

Creating urgency 

Scammers want you to panic and act quickly so you don’t have time to think. 

You might see messages like: 

• “Final warning!” 

• “Act within 24 hours!” 

• “Your account will be closed!” 

If someone is rushing you, that’s a red flag. 

 

Emotional manipulation 

Scams often try to trigger strong emotions so you react without thinking. 

They may try to make you feel: 

• Scared 

• Excited 

• Curious 

• Guilty 

If a message makes you feel emotional and pushes you to act quickly, pause and double-check it first. 

 

AI and fake content 

Technology has made scams more convincing than ever. 

Scammers can now use AI to: 

• Clone voices 

• Create fake videos 

• Generate realistic emails and websites 

Just because something looks professional doesn’t mean it’s genuine. 

 

“Too good to be true” deals 

If something sounds amazing, take a moment to question it. 

Common examples include: 

• Cheap concert tickets 

• Huge online discounts 

• “Guaranteed” investment returns 

If the price seems unrealistically low, it’s probably a scam. 

 

Pretending to be official 

Many scams work by pretending to come from trusted organisations. 

They may claim to be from: 

• Your bank 

• The police 

• A delivery company 

• A government department 

Always verify messages directly with the organisation using their official contact details. 

 

How to spot common scams 

Here are some of the most common ways scammers try to contact people 👇 

Phishing emails 

Be cautious if an email includes: 

• “Dear customer” instead of your name 

• Spelling mistakes or poor grammar 

• Strange sender email addresses 

• Links pushing you to “Click now!” 

• Requests for passwords or personal information 

If you’re unsure, don’t click the link. Go directly to the official website instead. 

Fake text messages 

Scam texts often include: 

• Winning a prize you didn’t enter 

• Requests to pay a delivery fee 

• Urgent alerts about your bank account 

• Unexpected requests for money 

If it feels random or suspicious, it probably is. 

Phone scams 

Be wary if someone calls and asks you to: 

• Share your PIN or passcodes 

• Transfer money to another account 

• Give them remote access to your computer 

• Act quickly without checking 

Legitimate organisations will not ask for these things over the phone. 

 

Fake websites and adverts 

When shopping online, watch out for: 

• Website addresses that look slightly wrong 

• No padlock symbol in the browser 

• Unrealistic discounts 

• Blurry logos or poor design 

• Requests for bank transfer instead of card payment 

If something doesn’t look right, trust your instincts. 

 

The Scam Spotter Checklist 

If you receive a suspicious message, ask yourself: 

• Am I being pressured to act quickly? 

• Am I being asked for a password, PIN or one-time code? 

• Am I being asked to move money to a “safe account”? 

• Does the offer sound too good to be true? 

• Is the message trying to create fear or panic? 

• Does the sender’s email or phone number look unusual? 

• Does the website address look slightly wrong? 

• Am I asked to pay upfront for a prize or delivery? 

• Does the message use a generic greeting? 

• Am I told to keep this secret? 

If you tick even one of these, stop and think. 

STOP. Don’t click. Don’t reply. Don’t pay. Report it. 

 

How to report scams 

If you think you’ve been targeted by fraud, report it as soon as possible. 

In the UK, the national reporting centre is Report Fraud. 

You can report online or by phone: 

• https://www.reportfraud.police.uk 

• 0300 123 2040 

Depending on the situation, you may also need to contact your bank. 

 

Reporting suspicious messages 

You can also report specific scam attempts: 

Emails 
Forward them to report@phishing.gov.uk, then delete the email. 

Phone calls or texts 
Send a free text to 7726 with the word “Call” and the phone number, or forward the suspicious text message to 7726. 

Fake online adverts 
Report them to the Advertising Standards Authority. 

Fake websites 
Report them to the National Cyber Security Centre. 

Suspicious post 
Report it through the Royal Mail website. 

 

If you’ve been affected by a scam 

Being targeted by a scam can feel stressful and upsetting. You’re not alone, and support is available. 

Victim Support is a national charity offering free, confidential help. 

• Call 0808 168 9111 (24/7) 

• Visit https://www.victimsupport.org.uk 

 

Need advice? 

If you’re unsure about something or need support, SU Advice is here to help. Our team offers free, confidential and independent advice to Essex students. 

You can contact SU Advice.