A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips on consumer issues.
Q: I lost some money in a banking scam and I am scared that it might happen again. What can I do to minimise the risk?
A : Sadly, you are not alone. In September 2025, Citizens Advice commissioned a survey to find out the extent of this problem. Our research shows that an estimated ten per cent of people across the South West and around seven million people nationally were caught out by a scam in the past year.
The top five scams people have unwittingly fallen for are:
- Includes fake websites and counterfeit or non-existent goods
- Investment scam (18%) – Like ‘get rich quick’ schemes and cryptocurrency scams
- Other financial scam (18%) – Such as banking, fake loans, card and bank account fraud
- A friend or family member ‘needs help’ scam (16%) – Tricked into thinking someone you care about needs money urgently
- Mobile network scam (14%) – Includes being scammed into taking out a new contract or paying for a new handset.
cautious when taking advantage of shopping deals ahead of Black Friday and Christmas. As scammers get more sophisticated it’s important to work together to raise awareness, report scams and share our experiences to help protect ourselves and others.
There are steps you can take to better protect yourself and your loved ones. Something might be a scam if:
Someone you don’t know contacts you unexpectedly, or you’re asked to transfer money quickly
You’re being asked to share personal or security information like passwords, PINs or codes
You suspect you’re not dealing with a real company, for example there’s no postal address
You’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way – paying by debit or credit card gives you extra protection if things go wrong
Remember – if something seems too good to be true or doesn’t feel right it might well be a scam, so take a moment and get advice.
If you’ve been scammed:
Talk to your bank or card company immediately if you’ve handed over any sensitive information or made a payment
Report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 204
Contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0800 144 8848 for help with what to do next.
