Scams

What is a Scam?

A scam is defined as a fraudulent or deceptive act/operation. The deceptive strategies involved with scams often involve victims giving away money, personal details, or data after being offered an attractive deal or false information.

Common Types of Scams

  • Bank Scams
    • This is a type of scam where fraudsters pretend to be your bank and warn you about fake suspicious activity on your account. They try to trick you into revealing sensitive information, such as your PIN, or convince you to hand over your bank card. Legitimate banks do not ask for these details or send couriers to collect cards.
  • HMRC Scams
    • This is a scam where someone pretends to be from HMRC and claims there’s an issue with your tax, such as a refund problem or an unpaid bill. They may ask you to call them back and try to get you to share personal or financial information. In reality, HMRC does not contact people this way or ask for sensitive details like bank account information.
  • Compensation calls
    • This is a scam where callers claim you’ve been in a car accident and may be entitled to compensation. Their aim is to get you to engage or share personal information. Legitimate claims should only be handled through your own insurance company using the official contact details on your policy.
  • Texts with fake links
    • This is a scam where messages ask you to click a link to fix an issue with your account or track a parcel. The link usually leads to a fake website designed to trick you into entering your login details, allowing scammers to steal your information.
  • Telephone Preference Service scams
    • This is a scam where callers claim you need to pay to renew your membership of the Telephone Preference Service. They try to get money or personal details from you, but the service is actually free, so any such calls are not genuine.
  • Amazon scam calls
    • This is a scam where callers pretend to be Amazon customer support. They may offer fake deals on Prime memberships or claim there’s an issue with a payment to trick you into sharing personal or financial information. Genuine Amazon support would not contact you like this unexpectedly or ask for sensitive details.
  • Social Media Scams
    • This is a scam where someone contacts you unexpectedly on social media to gain your trust. They may use fake profiles, pretend to be someone you know or a trusted organisation, or impersonate celebrities and businesses. Their goal is to trick you into sharing personal information or sending money.
  • Email Scams
    • This is a scam where emails are made to look like they come from trusted organisations, such as the government, police, or well-known businesses. They are often designed to create urgency and include links or attachments that can steal your money or personal information. Scammers may copy logos and even fake or “spoof” email addresses to make the message appear genuine.
  • Website scams
    • This is a scam where fraudsters pretend to be trusted people or well‑known brands online. They use fake websites, impersonate celebrities or companies, and create false reviews to gain your trust. They may also use pop-ups or warnings to pressure you into acting quickly, often to steal your money or personal information.

Method of Scam

Many scams can be carried out through a variety of communication methods, including phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, or messaging apps. The method used does not necessarily define the scam type, as the same scam can be delivered through multiple channels.

Method of Scam

Scams can have serious effects on mental health, causing stress, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. In the months that follow, many victims feel shame and embarrassment, often made worse by financial strain and limited support. In the UK, an estimated 9 million people caught out by financial scams in the past year and the total consequence costs of fraud against individuals are estimated to be £7.2 billion. Over two in five of those scammed (43%) had to borrow or increase their debt in some way to get by afterwards. Almost a quarter (24%) had to turn to friends or family for financial help, while a fifth (20%) had to take on additional jobs or shifts at work.

How to Protect Yourself Against Scams

  • Use a strong, unique password for your email by combining three random words. Make sure it’s not used for any of your other accounts. 
  • Use two-step verification (2SV) whenever it’s available to add an extra layer of security to your email account. 
  • If you’re unsure about a message or call, contact the organisation directly to verify it. Always use contact details from their official website and avoid using any information provided in the message itself. 

Reporting Scams

  • If you receive a suspicious email, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk
  • Report scam texts or calls by forwarding them to 7726 (free), so your provider can investigate and block the sender
  • You can also report suspicious adverts to the ASA at asa.org.uk, and report fraud or cybercrime online at reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
  • For more information on reporting: Fraud – National Crime Agency

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Against Scams Partnership

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Against Scams Partnership (CAPASP) is a county-wide partnership of public, private and voluntary sector organisations committed to working together to stop scams and doorstep crime across the county.

For more information about the partnership and what they are delivering, please click here.

Local Research into the impact of Fraud and Scams

Fraud and Scams is an area that each of the local Community Safety Partnerships regularly monitor through their strategic assessment process. These documents can be found within our document library.

 

Sources

Balcombe, Luke. “The Mental Health Impacts of Internet Scams.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 14 June 2025, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12192844/.  

“Economic and Social Cost of Fraud 2023 to 2024.” GOV.UK, www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-and-social-cost-of-fraud-2023-to-2024/economic-and-social-cost-of-fraud-2023-to-2024. Accessed 26 May 2026.  

“Introduction to Scams.” ScamShield.Gov.Sg, www.scamshield.gov.sg/introduction-to-scams/. Accessed 26 May 2026.  

Nearly 80 Million U.S. Consumers Lost Money to Scams in Last Five Years, with AI Key to Tackling Fraud and Financial Crime – Featurespace, www.featurespace.com/newsroom/the-impact-of-financial-scams-on-us-consumer-finances. Accessed 26 May 2026.  

“Phone Scams.” Age UK, www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/scams-fraud/phone-scams/. Accessed 26 May 2026.  

“Scam Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scam. Accessed 26 May 2026.  

Types of Scams | Scamwatch, www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams. Accessed 26 May 2026. 

9 Million People Caught Out by Financial Scams in the Past Year.” Citizens Advice, www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/press-releases/9-million-people-caught-out-by-financial-scams-in-the-past-year/. Accessed 26 May 2026.