Author name: Scam Watch Team

Energy scams aren’t new. But in 2026, they’ve become something else entirely more targeted, more convincing, and more difficult to dismiss as something that only happens to other people. If you’ve been thinking, “I’d never fall for that,” you’re exactly who this guide is written for. Because that confidence? Scammers are counting on it. Over the past two years, with energy bills still sitting at historically uncomfortable levels and a string of government support schemes being rolled out, the fraud industry has had a field day. These criminals don’t operate out of dingy back rooms any more they use professional-grade branding, AI-generated voice calls, spoofed phone numbers, and cloned websites that look indistinguishable from the real thing. People who consider themselves switched-on, savvy, and not particularly vulnerable have lost hundreds, sometimes thousands of pounds. This guide covers everything you need to know about how to avoid and stop energy scams […]

Let me be straight with you. Romance scams are not something that happens to other people the gullible ones, the lonely ones, the ones who should have “known better.” That framing is not just wrong, it’s dangerous, because it stops people from protecting themselves and stops victims from coming forward. This blog post will help you avoid Online Dating and Romance Scams  The reality is sobering. According to data from the City of London Police, British people lost more than £106 million to romance fraud in the 2024/25 financial year an 18% jump on the year before. Nearly 9,500 cases were reported. The average loss per victim was over £11,000. And those are just the reported cases. Experts believe the true figure is significantly higher, because shame and stigma keep many victims silent. The Crime Survey of England and Wales estimates that only around 13% of fraud cases ever get

There’s a moment and if you’ve spent any time in the crypto space, you’ve probably had it where something just feels slightly off. Maybe it’s an Instagram DM from someone you barely know, or a WhatsApp message from a “trading expert” with screenshots of absurd profits. You can’t quite put your finger on why it bothers you, but something doesn’t sit right. That instinct is worth listening to. Because cryptocurrency scams are now one of the fastest-growing categories of financial fraud in the UK, and they’re getting harder to spot by the day. According to data from Action Fraud, cryptocurrency-related fraud has cost UK victims tens of millions of pounds in recent years. In North Yorkshire alone, Action Fraud data revealed that over £105,000 was stolen from just 15 people in the space of a few months in 2024 and these weren’t naive or careless individuals. They were ordinary people

There’s a message sitting in someone’s inbox right now that’s making their heart race. It might be from a stranger they chatted with online last week, or it could be a cold email claiming a hacker has footage of them visiting an adult website. Either way, it ends with the same demand pay up, or everyone you know finds out. This is sextortion. And if you’ve never heard of it, or you’ve only heard of it happening to other people, the statistics might shock you. In the first months of 2025 alone, the risk of being targeted by sextortion scammers in the UK jumped by nearly 50% compared to the previous year. Across the whole of Merseyside, there were over 530 reports in just nine months. And those are only the cases people actually reported most victims stay silent out of shame, which is exactly what these criminals are counting

Let me be honest with you. This topic matters to me because I’ve seen it happen to people who should have known better  smart, careful people who still got taken in. A retired headteacher who lost £47,000 to a fake cryptocurrency platform. A 55-year-old accountant who handed over his pension savings to fraudsters impersonating a well-known UK investment firm. These aren’t edge cases. They’re stories playing out across the country right now, every single day. In 2024, victims in the UK collectively lost £649 million to investment fraud, according to figures from Action Fraud — that’s up 13% from the year before, despite the number of actual reports falling slightly. What that means in plain English is that scammers are getting better at what they do. They’re going after bigger targets, using more sophisticated tactics, and they’re not stopping anytime soon. So if you want to know how to stop

The past year saw British consumers lose over £629 million to scammers in just six months. As we move into 2026, fraudsters aren’t slowing down. They’re getting cleverer, more sophisticated, and frighteningly convincing. With artificial intelligence making scams harder to spot and criminals finding new ways to exploit our trust, staying informed has never been more critical. In this blog post, we will look at the top scams to watch out for in 2026 and how you can protect yourself from scammers I’ve spent months researching the latest fraud trends, speaking with victims, and analysing data from organisations like Action Fraud and Which?. What I’ve discovered is both alarming and eye-opening. The scams emerging this year aren’t just variations of old tricks. They’re more targeted, more personal, and designed to exploit the exact moments when we’re most vulnerable. Whether you’re shopping online, looking for work, or simply going about your

Last week, my neighbour Sarah nearly lost £15,000. She received a panicked phone call from someone who sounded exactly like her daughter, claiming she’d been in an accident and needed money immediately. The voice was perfect, down to the slight lisp her daughter has always had. It was only when Sarah asked about their family dog (they don’t have one) that the caller hung up abruptly. This wasn’t just another scam. This was artificial intelligence at work, and it’s becoming terrifyingly common. The reality is stark. Fraudsters no longer need technical expertise to launch sophisticated attacks. With free AI tools readily available online, anyone can create convincing fake videos, clone voices, or generate persuasive phishing emails within minutes. According to recent research, AI-powered scams have increased by over 300% in the past year alone, costing British consumers millions of pounds. But here’s the thing. Whilst AI has made scams more

In today’s digital world, protecting yourself from scams has become more crucial than ever. With fraudsters constantly evolving their tactics and technology making it easier for scammers to reach potential victims, understanding how to safeguard yourself is essential for financial security and peace of mind. Recent statistics from Action Fraud show that UK consumers lost over £1.2 billion to fraud in 2024 alone, with many victims falling prey to increasingly sophisticated scammer techniques. Whether you’re dealing with phone calls, emails, text messages, or online shopping, scammers are always looking for new ways to exploit unsuspecting individuals. This blog post we will provide you with  30 Tips To Protect Yourself from Scams to help you stay one step ahead of fraudsters and protect your personal information, finances, and identity from those who would exploit them. Understanding the Modern Scam Landscape Before diving into protection strategies, it’s important to understand what we’re

I’ll be honest with you phishing scams have become ridiculously sophisticated. Just last week, I received an email that looked so convincing that I almost clicked on it before my training kicked in. The sender appeared to be from my bank, complete with official logos and formatting. It’s no wonder that phishing continues to be a major cyber security threat in 2025, with the sophistication and frequency of attacks rising. The reality is that cybercriminals are getting smarter, and their tactics are evolving faster than ever. In 2025, phishing attacks have become more advanced, using AI-generated emails and deepfake technology to exploit human error and bypass defenses. We’re dealing with attacks that would have seemed like science fiction just a few years ago. But here’s the thing – you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. You just need to know what to look for and how

The job market in 2025 has become increasingly digital, creating new opportunities for both legitimate employers and unfortunately, sophisticated scammers. With millions of people actively searching for employment, recruitment fraud has evolved into a billion-dollar industry that targets unsuspecting job seekers. Recent statistics show that 14 million people in the U.S. and Canada are exposed to job scams annually, resulting in $2 billion in direct losses. As someone who has witnessed the devastating impact these scams can have on individuals and families, I want to share this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the job search safely. The recruitment landscape has changed dramatically, and so have the tactics used by fraudsters. This blog post will look at 10 Common Recruitment Job Scams to Avoid Why Recruitment Scams Are More Dangerous Than Ever Before diving into specific scams, it’s important to understand why these fraudulent schemes have become so prevalent. The

In today’s digital-first world, cyber attacks on major retailers can ripple effect far beyond the companies themselves. Recently, reports of cyber attacks targeting UK retailers—including Co-op and Marks and Spencer—have sparked concern among customers and cybersecurity experts alike. As fraudsters seize the opportunity to exploit data breaches and heightened consumer anxiety, it has become more important than ever to know how to protect against Co-op and Marks and Spencer scams after a cyber attack. Co-op and M&S have been hit with major cyberattacks in the past few weeks, causing disruption to online orders and stock availability in stores. M&S online orders have been paused since 25 April, with no indication as to when things may return to normal. Both retailers have also warned that some customer data was accessed by the hackers, understood to be a criminal group named DragonForce. A significant amount of data from 20 million past and

In today’s hyper-connected digital landscape, we entrust cloud platforms with everything from family photos to sensitive business files. iCloud, Apple’s flagship icloud service, is used by hundreds of millions worldwide. But just as iCloud has become an integral part of our digital lives, so too has it become a prime target for scammers. One of the most prevalent tactics today is the iCloud storage is full email scam. This blog post will help you protect yourself against iCloud storage is full scam, what they are, how they work, how to recognise them, and most importantly, how to stop getting scammed Whether you’re a personal user or a small business, understanding this threat is crucial for digital safety in 2025. What Is the iCloud Storage Is Full Email Scam The “iCloud storage is full” scam is a type of phishing attack designed to deceive Apple users into giving away sensitive login

When it comes to summer travel, Airbnb is a go-to platform for finding unique accommodations that fit various budgets. However, with the rise in Airbnb’s popularity, scammers have also found new ways to exploit unsuspecting guests. If you’re planning your next getaway, it’s essential to understand how these scams work and how to protect yourself. In this guide, we’ll explore 10 common Airbnb scams in great detail, backed with actionable advice to ensure your vacation is smooth, safe, and enjoyable. 1. Fake Listings: The Alluring Mirage Fake listings are among the most common Airbnb scams. Scammers create these listings using photos stolen from other websites or even real properties, making the accommodation look irresistible. These listings often advertise luxury amenities at unbeatable prices, tempting unsuspecting travelers to book. How It Works Step 1: Scammers copy photos and descriptions from legitimate listings, sometimes from other platforms like Zillow or Booking.com. Step

The Winter Fuel Payment scheme is a lifeline for many pensioners, providing vital financial assistance during the colder months. However, this invaluable support system is increasingly being exploited by fraudsters who prey on the elderly and vulnerable. These scammers use sophisticated tactics to deceive recipients into revealing personal information or handing over their hard-earned money. This blog post will look at winter fuel payment scams, from understanding how these frauds operate to learning actionable strategies to avoid becoming a victim. By the end, you’ll have the tools and knowledge to protect yourself and your loved ones from these predatory schemes. If someone calls you with an Indian accent about winter fuel payment from a telephone number you do not recognize, they are most likely a scammer from an Indian call centre. Put the phone down straight away! 1. What Is the Winter Fuel Payment The Winter Fuel Payment is a

Black Friday, originally an American tradition, has grown into a global phenomenon. In recent years, the shopping event has spread beyond the United States, and retailers everywhere participate by slashing prices on big-ticket items and popular products. Unfortunately, scammers also see this as a prime opportunity to take advantage of people’s desire for a good deal. Understanding the risks and knowing what to look for are essential for a safe shopping experience. In the blog post, we will provide you with a guide how to avoid black Friday scams online. During Black Friday, scam tactics are more creative and believable. According to a study by Cybersecurity Ventures, online scams spike significantly around major retail events, with phishing emails alone increasing by nearly 200% during Black Friday weekend. 2. Common Types of Black Friday Scams Scammers employ various methods to defraud consumers. Here are some common types to be aware of: