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A text arrives claiming to be Royal Mail, Evri, or DPD saying a parcel couldn't be delivered and asking you to pay a small redelivery fee — usually £1.49 to £2.99. The payment page is fake and steals your card details. Real couriers never request payment via a text link. Track deliveries only through the courier's official website using your tracking number.

A text or email claims you're owed a tax refund from HMRC and asks you to click a link to claim it. The fake site collects your personal and bank details. HMRC never contacts people about refunds by text or email — all genuine communication is by post or through your Government Gateway account at gov.uk.

A message arrives from an unknown number: 'Hi Mum, I've got a new phone — can you save this number?' Once trust is established, the scammer claims to be urgently stuck and asks for a bank transfer. Always verify by calling the person on their known number before sending any money. Never transfer funds based on a WhatsApp message alone.

Websites and videos promise free Robux, V-Bucks, or Steam gift cards in exchange for logging in or completing surveys. These steal your account credentials or install malware. Official game currencies are only available through official game stores — there are no legitimate free currency generators, regardless of what the site claims.

A direct message or email offers a well-paid, flexible job — commonly 'social media manager', 'mystery shopper', or 'package handler'. The role turns out to involve forwarding suspicious packages (re-shipping fraud) or requires you to pay upfront for equipment. Legitimate employers never ask you to pay to start a job or to handle packages from strangers on their behalf.

Scammers call posing as your bank's fraud team, HMRC, or even the police, claiming your account is compromised or you're under investigation. They may ask you to move money to a 'safe account' or hand over your PIN. Real banks and police will never ask for this. Hang up and call your bank directly using the number on the back of your card.

Messages claiming you've won a prize are almost always scams. Real competitions don't contact winners out of the blue — you have to enter first. Fake prize scams typically ask for personal details, a 'release fee', or ask you to buy gift cards to 'verify your identity'. Gift card codes are untraceable once shared — treat them like cash.