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Latest scams
Fraudsters are always looking for new ways to try to steal your details and money.
Discover which scams are common right now, how they work and the steps you can take to stay safe.
Scams on Facebook Marketplace
Fraudsters are catching people out with fake listings on online marketplaces like Facebook - especially for things like designer trainers, cars and tickets. Learn how to spot these scams.
Loan fee scam
Fraudsters are taking advantage of people who need money by offering fake loans for an upfront fee. Find out how you can avoid this scam and keep your money safe.
Passcode scam
Fraudsters can pretend to be us on the phone to trick you into sharing a passcode. Treat your code like a PIN: never share it with anyone. Find out how this scam works.
Discover more latest scams…
Scam emails
Council Tax
How does it work?
An email claims to come from the Government Digital Service Team. It offers a Council Tax Reduction for people on a low income, or who get benefits.
To claim the refund, you have to click a link. But this goes to a fake page to try to get you to give away banking details.
How to avoid this scam
If you get an email like this, don’t reply or click on the link. Just delete it.
Scam texts
Royal Mail
How does it work?
A text claims to be from Royal Mail to say a parcel is awaiting delivery. To get it you need to click on a link to pay a fee.
The link goes to a fake Royal Mail page that wants your personal and banking details.
If you’re expecting a delivery, Royal Mail won’t get in touch to ask for your personal or banking details.
How to avoid this scam
If you get a text like this, don’t click on the link or reply. Just delete it.
You can report a scam text for free to 7726.
Energy text scam
How does it work?
You get a text that claims to be from Gov UK. It wants you to click on a link to apply for discount on your energy bills.
The link takes you to a fake Gov UK website. The fake site wants you to enter your personal and banking details.
How to avoid this scam
If you get a text like this, don’t reply or click on any link. Just delete it.
You don’t have to apply to get the discount, it’s automatic. Read about it on the Gov.uk website.
Contact us right away if you shared your details.
You can report a scam text for free to 7726.
SIM swap
How does it work?
Fraudsters can call or text to pretend to be your mobile phone provider. They may ask you to verify a message with a code, or click a link to enter a code online.
Another trick is to use your personal details to call your provider to either:
- swap your number to a new SIM card on the same network, or
- move your number to another network by asking for a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC).
How to avoid this scam
If you get a call that wants a code, hang up. If it’s a text, delete it.
Never give anyone who calls or texts you a code, or enter it online for them.
If your phone suddenly stops letting you make calls or send texts, contact your provider on a number you trust right away.
You can report a scam text for free to 7726.
Scam calls
SIM swap
How does it work?
Fraudsters can call or text to pretend to be your mobile phone provider. They may ask you to verify a message with a code, or click a link to enter a code online.
Another trick is to use your personal details to call your provider to either:
- swap your number to a new SIM card on the same network, or
- move your number to another network by asking for a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC).
How to avoid this scam
If you get a call that wants a code, hang up. If it’s a text, delete it.
Never give anyone who calls or texts you a code, or enter it online for them.
If your phone suddenly stops letting you make calls or send texts, contact your provider on a number you trust right away
Carphone Warehouse
How does it work?
You get a call that claims to be Carphone Warehouse offering you a phone upgrade.
If you agree, they’ll place an order using your personal and banking details. But the wrong phone is delivered to your address.
You contact the person who called, often through WhatsApp, to return the phone by post. Once they have it, they’ll disappear. You don’t get a phone, but still have to pay the contract.
How to avoid this scam
If you get a call like this, hang up the phone. Carphone Warehouse will never call to offer you an upgrade.
It’s very rare for Carphone Warehouse ever to call you about anything. If they do, they’ll never offer an upgrade or ask for personal or banking details.
App scams
Google Play virus
How does it work?
Fraudsters are hiding viruses in apps on Google Play. It could be any kind of app, such as one for a QR code.
A fake app can look genuine, but it may not install or work after you download it.
This virus can cause serious harm to a device and steal personal data.
How to avoid this scam
Make sure an app is safe before you download, by:
- Checking reviews.
- Reading the permissions. Do they match the app’s purpose?
- Reading the terms and conditions.
Install an anti-virus on your device or ask a phone shop to do it for you. Use it to scan for viruses and follow its advice.
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You can get straight forward, impartial advice on how to avoid scams from Take Five.
You can report a crime or get general advice from Action Fraud. They help banks and other companies combat fraud.
They offer advice on how to keep yourself and your devices safe from fraud.
UK Finance is there to support customers and to help make sure it's safe to bank.
Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)
The PRA is part of the Bank of England. Their role is to make sure banks act safely and reduce the chance of them losing money.
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
The FCA is there to make sure banks work well so customers are protected and get a fair deal.
CIFAS can help to protect your identity. They can stop fraudsters from using your details to apply for things in your name.
This is a government site that gives advice on how to stay safe online.
This is part of the FCA site. You can use it to check on an investment or pension deals to help you avoid scams.
Lloyds Bank does not control the content of third party websites linked to on this page.
Eligible deposits with us are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). We are covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
Personalisation. We will always greet you personally using your name. We will never use ‘Dear User’ or ‘Dear Valued Customer’. Where you hold an existing account with us, we will quote the last four digits of your account number, such as your current account, savings account or credit card. If you don’t yet have an account with us but we have your postal address details, we may use part of your postcode. Internet Banking-related emails may also include your Internet Banking User ID.
Links. All links within our emails will go to a page on www.lloydsbank.com, or to trusted Government regulatory websites (e.g. Financial Ombudsman, Financial Conduct Authority, etc). Research emails may take you to a partner research company website, but we will never send you to a web page that asks for your logon, personal or banking details. However, we will sometimes include links to more information to help you and we will sometimes send you links to our secure app, to take you straight to the information you need.
In fraudulent emails, website addresses may appear genuine on first sight, but if you hover your mouse over the link without clicking, it may reveal a different web address. On our genuine emails the link address always starts with email.lloydsbank.com or www.lloydsbank.com. We will never link direct through to our Internet Banking log on page or to a page that asks for your security or personal details.
Social media scams
Bitcoin
How does it work?
Fraudsters use social media to offer Bitcoin (BTC) deals.
They often promise to double your money if you pay directly to a BTC address. But they’ll keep anything you send.
How to avoid this scam
If you see a social media post or get a message about Bitcoin, don’t reply. Report it on the platform, then delete it.
Scams through WhatsApp
How does it work?
Fraudsters use messaging apps like WhatsApp to pretend to be someone you know. They won’t know your name, so a message could begin with ‘Hi mum’ or ‘Hi mate’.
They’ll tell you about a problem and ask you to pay money to a bank account you've never paid before. Usually, they’ll say it’s to help pay a bill, but watch out for other excuses too.
How to avoid this scam
If you get a message like this - out of the blue from an unknown number - don’t reply, just delete it.
Talk to your family member or friend first - to check if it’s real. Call them on a number you trust, like the one saved on your phone. Never call the number from the message.
Learn more about social media scams
Fraudsters use social media to scam people. We can guide you on how to use social media to keep your details and money safe from scams.
Social media scams