How to Stay Safe from Scams

Scam Awareness Week: How to Stay Safe and Protect Those Around You

With the BBC highlighting Scam Awareness Week, this is an ideal time to make sure we all know how to spot a scam, avoid it, and support the people around us who may be more vulnerable.

Financial scams continue to evolve. Many are designed to imitate trusted organisations, create panic, or catch you at a busy moment. Staying safe starts with knowing the signs.

Below is a practical guide on what to look out for, how to reduce the risks, and how to support elderly relatives, neighbours, and friends who may feel less confident with technology.

Common Warning Signs of a Scam

1. Unsolicited contact

Unexpected calls, texts, emails, or messages that claim to come from your bank, HMRC, a delivery service, or a well-known company.

2. Pressure to act quickly

Scammers want you to react before you think. Urgent deadlines and threats are typical red flags.

3. Requests for financial or personal details

Legitimate organisations do not ask for passwords, bank security codes, or full card numbers.

4. Messages that feel out of place

Poor spelling, slightly altered email addresses, unusual links, or instructions that don’t fit normal processes.

5. Offers that seem unrealistic

Promises of high returns, guaranteed profits, or exclusive investment opportunities.

Robocalls: A Growing Issue

Robocalls are automated calls that play a recorded message the moment you answer. Some are legitimate, such as appointment reminders, but many are used to deliver scams.

Scam robocalls often pretend to be from banks, internet providers, delivery firms, or government bodies. They may claim you owe money, that there is a problem with your account, or that your internet will be disconnected.

Signs a robocall is unsafe:

• The call feels automated from the start.

• You are asked to press a number to continue or speak to an adviser.

• The message threatens immediate consequences.

• The caller ID looks unusual or unfamiliar.

How to protect yourself:

• Hang up immediately.

• Do not press any buttons.

• Do not provide information, even if the message sounds official.

• Contact the organisation using a verified phone number if you want to check.

• Block the number on your phone.

• Consider enabling caller ID or call-blocking features provided by your network.

Robocalls tend to target older people more often, so helping those around you to recognise these calls is important.

How to Protect Yourself

Pause before you act

Read messages carefully. Scammers rely on panic.

Check the source

Use the official website or app to contact the organisation.

Avoid unknown links

Type the address yourself rather than clicking links.

Turn on bank alerts

These help you spot unusual activity quickly.

Use strong passwords

A password manager can help you stay secure.

Keep devices updated

Install software and security updates promptly.

Supporting Elderly Friends, Relatives, and Neighbours

Many scams specifically target older people, especially those living alone or less familiar with digital tools.

Encourage them to contact you before responding to anything unexpected.

Install updates and enable features that block suspicious calls or messages.

Review their mail and messages together and explain what to look out for and what to ignore.

Teach clear rules

• Never share bank details.

• Never let cold callers in.

• Never click unexpected links.

• Always ask someone they trust before taking action.

If You Think You’ve Been Targeted

1. Contact your bank straight away.

2. Report suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.

3. Forward scam texts to 7726.

4. Contact Action Fraud if money has been taken.

5. Keep any evidence.

Our Role at Greenshoots Financial

We take your security seriously. We use clear, verified communication channels and we will never rush you, pressure you, or ask for sensitive information by text or email.

If you receive anything that seems unusual, or you’re unsure whether a message about your mortgage or insurance is genuine, you can always contact us directly.

We are here to help you stay safe and informed.

Greenshoots Financial

📞 01506 537111

📧 enquiries@greenshootsfinancial.com