5 scams everyone should know about in 2026 and how to spot the red flags
Don't fall foul of fraudsters.
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- Melanie Wright
Published: June 4, 2026 at 7:00 AM
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When Margaret, 80, received a visit from someone claiming to be a police officer warning her that fraudsters had targeted her bank account, she thought she was doing the right thing by following their instructions.
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She had initially been contacted by phone and told her bank account was compromised. A man then turned up at her home dressed as a police officer carrying a badge.
Margaret handed over her bank card and PIN, which were then used to drain almost £8,500 from her TSB account in high street and electronics shops. Thankfully, TSB’s fraud team intervened, managing to stop a further £3,000 being taken.
The case highlights how modern scams rely as much on emotional manipulation as technology. Fraudsters create panic and urgency so victims act quickly without questioning what is happening. Here are some of the latest scams targeting consumers and the warning signs to watch for.
1. High-value courier fraud
Banks and police will never ask for your card, PIN, cash or valuables.. Westend61/Getty Images
Courier fraud, which Margaret fell victim to, involves criminals pretending to be from a bank or the police to trick victims into handing over bank cards, PINs, cash or valuables.
According to TSB, higher-value courier fraud losses recorded in the first three months of 2026 were already 116% higher than in the whole of 2025. Older people are increasingly targeted, with almost nine in ten victims aged 70 or over. Average losses exceed £15,000.
How the scam works
Fraudsters usually contact victims by phone, claiming there has been suspicious activity on their bank account. Victims may then be persuaded to post their bank cards and PINs to a “secure” address, withdraw cash for “safekeeping”, or hand valuables to a courier sent to their home.
Once they obtain cards and PINs, they quickly withdraw cash or go on spending sprees.
Warning signs
Be suspicious of anyone claiming to be from your bank or the police who asks you to hand over your bank card or PIN, withdraw cash or transfer money.
Banks and police will never ask for your card, PIN, cash or valuables.
What to do
If you receive an unexpected call claiming to be from your bank or the police, end the conversation and contact the organisation directly using a trusted number. You can also use the 159 call service to safely check whether a call is genuine and go through to your bank’s fraud department.
If you think you’ve been targeted, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to the national fraud reporting centre Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or using its online fraud reporting tool.
2. Fake job scams
Be wary of job adverts with vague descriptions and no named contacts. Thana Prasongsin/Getty Images
Jobseekers are increasingly being targeted by fake recruitment scams designed to steal money, personal details and banking information.
How the scam works
Fraudsters post fake jobs offering attractive salaries, remote work or flexible hours to tempt applicants into responding quickly. Others contact people directly pretending to be recruiters from familiar employers.
Once communication begins, victims may be asked to provide copies of passports, National Insurance numbers or bank details. Some scammers also request upfront payments for training, uniforms, DBS checks or administration fees before disappearing.
Warning signs
Red flags include poorly written adverts with spelling mistakes, vague job descriptions, generic email addresses with no named contact, salaries that seem unusually high, and requests for money before employment begins.
What to do
Research employers carefully before sharing personal information. Genuine companies usually have a clear online presence and verifiable contact details.
If you are unsure, check the business through Companies House. Never pay money to secure a job offer and avoid sharing sensitive documents until you are certain the employer is legitimate.
If you suspect a scam, stop communication immediately, report the advert to the platform where it appeared, and contact your bank if financial information has been shared.
3. Winter Fuel Payment recovery scam
Scammers claiming to be from HMRC send messages demanding an immediate repayment. Getty Images/ArtMarie
HMRC is warning pensioners about scammers exploiting confusion surrounding changes to Winter Fuel Payment rules.
Fraudsters are using fake calls, texts, emails and letters pretending to be from HMRC to steal money and personal information. HMRC has received more than 25,000 scam referrals linked to Winter Fuel Payments in the past year.
Under the new rules, people earning more than £35,000 may have the payment recovered through the tax system. For most people, however, repayments will happen automatically.
How the scam works
Scammers contact victims pretending to be from HMRC and claim an immediate repayment is required. They ask for bank details, payment information or direct victims to fake websites designed to steal personal and financial data.
Warning signs
HMRC says it will never contact people by text or email asking them to repay a Winter Fuel Payment or provide banking details. Any message asking you to do so is likely to be fraudulent.
What to do
Do not transfer money in response to unsolicited messages.
Suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC can be forwarded to 60599, while suspicious emails should be sent to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk.
If you think you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud.
4. World Cup ticket scams
FIFA World Cup ticket scams are on the rise. Timothy A. Clary / AFP via Getty Images
Football fans are being warned about ticket scams ahead of the FIFA World Cup after Lloyds Bank revealed football ticket fraud has risen by 36 per cent over the past six months.
Fraudsters target supporters desperate to secure seats for major sporting events, often advertising fake tickets on social media.
How the scam works
Most scams begin on platforms such as Facebook or Instagram, where criminals advertise spare or discounted tickets. Buyers are then encouraged to continue the conversation on WhatsApp and pressured into making a fast bank transfer to secure the seats.
Once payment has been made, the scammer disappears and the tickets never arrive.
Warning signs
Be cautious of ticket offers that seem unusually cheap, or sellers creating urgency by claiming tickets will sell out immediately.
You should also steer clear of requests for payment by bank transfer, and professional-looking adverts that may have been created using AI.
What to do
Only buy tickets through official tournament websites, club-approved sellers or authorised platforms.
Avoid paying by bank transfer where possible. Credit and debit card payments provide greater fraud protection if something goes wrong.
5. Deepfake investment scams
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One of the fastest-growing threats is the rise of “deepfake” investment scams, where criminals use artificial intelligence to create convincing fake videos, audio clips and news articles featuring trusted celebrities or public figures.
Scammers commonly misuse the identities of people such as Martin Lewis, Deborah Meaden and Richard Branson to promote fake investment schemes promising high returns with little risk.
How the scam works
Fraudsters collect publicly available video and audio clips from interviews, podcasts and social media. AI technology is then used to create realistic fake videos or voice recordings appearing to show celebrities endorsing investment products.
Some criminals even clone the voices of friends or relatives to persuade victims to transfer money urgently.
Warning signs
Deepfake content can appear highly convincing, but there are still clues to watch for, including robotic speech, unnatural facial expressions and lip movements that don’t match the audio.
Ask yourself whether the celebrity or public figure shown would realistically contact people directly about investment opportunities.
What to do
Never invest money based solely on a social media advert, online video or celebrity endorsement. Always check whether an investment firm is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority before handing over money.
Using multi-factor authentication on your banking, email and social media accounts can also help protect your information.
Experts also recommend setting up a family “safe word” that only genuine relatives or close friends would know. If you receive a suspicious call or message appearing to come from a loved one, asking for the safe word can help confirm whether it is genuine.
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If you think you are being targeted, stop communicating with the scammer immediately, block their account and contact your bank.
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