Scam Alert

Scams to watch for

From fake refunds and parking fines to "your subscription has renewed" emails, here are the scams we see most often – and the tell-tale signs that give them away.

Scammers change their stories all the time, but the same tricks come round again and again. Here are the ones we see most often at our drop-ins.

Fake refunds and payments

"You're due a tax refund." "Claim your Winter Fuel Payment." "Your energy rebate is waiting."

The giveaway: Genuine government payments and refunds are paid automatically or through official channels. HMRC and the DWP never text or email you a link to claim money.

Unpaid parking fines and tolls

A text says you have an unpaid parking charge or toll, and you'll be fined more unless you pay today.

The giveaway: Councils send parking fines by post or leave them on your windscreen – not by text with a payment link.

Parcel delivery texts

"We missed you. Pay a £1.45 redelivery fee to rebook."

The giveaway: The fee is small so you don't think twice, but the aim is your card details. Check with the retailer or the delivery company's own app or website.

"Your subscription has renewed"

An email says your Amazon, Apple, Netflix or antivirus subscription has renewed for a large sum – or that your account is suspended – and gives a link or phone number to sort it out.

The giveaway: Log in to your account the way you normally would, or check your bank statement. Never call the number in the email.

"We need to access your computer"

A caller claims to be from Amazon, your broadband provider or Microsoft. There's a problem, and they need you to install a program so they can fix it.

The giveaway: Never let anyone you don't know take control of your computer or phone. Hang up.

Fake bank texts

A text includes a one-time passcode for a payment you didn't make, with "If this wasn't you, call us on…"

The giveaway: The number connects you to the scammer. Call the number on the back of your bank card, or dial 159.

Prizes and lotteries

A letter or email says you've won – perhaps in the People's Postcode Lottery – and asks you to call, send ID or pay a fee to release your prize.

The giveaway: You can't win a lottery you didn't enter, and you never have to pay to receive a genuine prize.

Too-good-to-be-true deals and giveaways

Cut-price air fryers, designer goods or free £500 supermarket vouchers, especially on social media.

The giveaway: If the price seems unbelievable, it probably is. See our Safe online shopping article.

Fake investment adverts

Online adverts, often showing a well-known face such as Martin Lewis, promise big returns from cryptocurrency or "trading".

The giveaway: Celebrities' faces and voices are being faked using AI. Martin Lewis does not do adverts. Check any investment firm on the FCA register at register.fca.org.uk.

"We've recorded you through your camera"

A threatening email claims to have hacked your computer and recorded you, and demands payment. It may even include an old password of yours.

The giveaway: They're bluffing – the password comes from an old data breach. Delete the email, don't pay, and change that password anywhere you still use it.

Three rules for any scam

Too good to be true? It probably is.
Being rushed? Genuine organisations will always give you time to check. Scammers won't.
Remember the A, B, C: Assume nothing, Believe nobody, Check everything.

And remember Take Five: Stop, Challenge, Protect.

Think you've been scammed?

Contact your bank straight away, or call 159 to reach your bank's fraud team.
Report it to Report Fraud (which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025): reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040.
Forward scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk
Forward scam texts to 7726 – it's free, and goes to your mobile network.
For support, contact Victim Support: www.victimsupport.org.uk (opens in a new tab) or 08 08 16 89 111.

Please don't feel embarrassed – scammers are professionals who fool people every day. Reporting helps stop them.

Need a hand?

Not sure whether something is a scam? Bring it along and we'll check it with you. Our friendly volunteers can help at our free sessions:

Mondays 10am–12noon – St Wilfrid's Church Hall, Burgess Hill
Thursdays 10am–12noon – Spire Café, St John's Church, Burgess Hill
Haywards Heath – Bentswood @ No.34, America Lane (by appointment)

Call 07349 916841 or email spire.computer.help@gmail.com. No question is too small.

The Spire Computer Help Team