Phone scams work because they catch people off guard. A call comes in, the person on the other end sounds official, and there's a reason to act right now. That pressure is the whole trick — and it works on careful people too, not just people who "should have known better."
This guide covers the calls that come up again and again, the signs that give a scam away, and exactly what to do if you get one.
The calls that come up most often
"We're from your bank's fraud team." Someone says there's suspicious activity on your account and asks you to move your money to a "safe account," or to confirm your card details, PIN, or a one-time passcode you've just been sent.
"This is HMRC. You owe unpaid tax." A threatening call claiming you'll be arrested or fined unless you pay immediately, often by bank transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency.
"This is Microsoft/BT/your internet provider. Your computer has a virus." A cold call claiming your device is infected, asking you to install remote-access software so they can "fix it" — which actually gives them access to everything on your computer.
"Can you hear me?" A short call designed to get you to say "yes," which is sometimes recorded and used later. It's less common now, but still worth knowing about.
Pension or investment calls. An unexpected call offering a "guaranteed return" on an investment, or offering to review your pension. Cold calling about pensions has been illegal in the UK since 2019 — a genuine firm will never do this out of the blue.
The signs that give it away
They created urgency. Real organisations very rarely need an instant decision. Scammers do, because urgency stops people thinking clearly.
They asked you to move money or share a code. No genuine bank will ever ask you to transfer money to a "safe account," and no bank, retailer, or government department will ask for your full PIN or a one-time passcode over the phone.
The caller ID looked right. Scammers can fake ("spoof") caller ID to show a real bank or government number. Seeing the right number on your screen doesn't confirm the call is genuine.
They told you not to hang up. A common trick is telling you to stay on the line while you "call the bank to check" — they simply keep the original line open. If in doubt, hang up completely and use a different phone if you can.
What to do if you get a call like this
Don't act while you're still on the phone. Hang up. There is no genuine emergency that requires an instant decision.
Call back on a number you trust — the one on the back of your bank card, or the official number from a bill or the organisation's real website. Never use a number the caller gave you.
Never share a PIN, full password, or one-time passcode with anyone who calls you. No legitimate organisation will ever ask for these.
If you're not sure, talk it through with someone before doing anything. A second, calmer perspective catches a lot of scams that panic alone would miss.
If you've already acted on a call
If you've transferred money or shared details, contact your bank immediately using the number on your card — banks have fraud teams who can sometimes stop or reverse a transfer if you're quick. You can also report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or by dialling 159 to be securely connected to your bank's fraud line. There's no need to feel embarrassed — these calls are designed by professionals to catch people out, and reporting it helps stop the same scam reaching someone else.
The pattern is always the same
Whether it's a text, an email, or a phone call, scams rely on the same three ingredients: urgency, secrecy, and a request for money or details. Once you know to look for those three things, a lot of scams start to look obvious — even though, in the moment, they rarely do. If you'd rather talk a suspicious call through with someone before deciding what to do, that's exactly what Ivy by WorryLess is there for — a calm second opinion, any time of day.
If this sounds like something your parent could use, Ivy by WorryLess is available now on iPhone and Android, with a 7-day free trial.