Common scams and how to spot them
Quick, plain-English guides to the scams people in the UK see most. Each one explains how it works, the warning signs, and what to do. Unsure about a specific message? Check it with Guardurai.
- Delivery & parcels
Royal Mail delivery text scam
A fake Royal Mail text says your parcel is held until you pay a small redelivery or customs fee, linking to a convincing but fake payment page.
Read the guide → - Government & tax
HMRC tax refund scam
A text, email, or call claims HMRC owes you a refund and asks you to click a link and enter bank or card details to 'claim' it.
Read the guide → - Impersonation
'Hi Mum' WhatsApp scam
Someone messages from an unknown number pretending to be your son or daughter who has 'lost their phone', then asks you to urgently send money.
Read the guide → - Account phishing
PayPal account phishing
A fake PayPal email warns that your account is limited, or that an unexpected payment went out, and pushes you to 'log in' through a link.
Read the guide → - Impersonation
Bank impersonation (safe account) scam
A caller or text claims to be your bank's fraud team, says your account is at risk, and tells you to move your money to a new 'safe account'.
Read the guide → - Investment
Crypto investment scam
A message, social media ad, or 'advisor' promises high, guaranteed returns from crypto trading — often using fake celebrity endorsements.
Read the guide → - Account & shopping
Amazon Prime & account scam
Scammers impersonate Amazon by phone, text, or email claiming there's a problem with your account, a suspicious order, or an automatic Prime renewal — to trick you into handing over card details or remote access to your device.
Read the guide → - Delivery & parcels
DPD & Evri delivery scam
Fake DPD and Evri (formerly Hermes) texts claim your parcel couldn't be delivered or needs a small fee or address confirmation, linking to a convincing but fake site that steals your card and personal details.
Read the guide → - Government & tax
DVLA vehicle tax & refund scam
Scammers impersonate the DVLA with texts and emails about a failed vehicle tax payment, a refund you're owed, or your car being 'untaxed' — to harvest your card and personal details.
Read the guide → - Dating & relationships
Romance & catfish scam
In a romance scam, a fraudster builds a fake online relationship — often using stolen or AI-generated photos — to win your trust, then invents an emergency to ask you for money.
Read the guide → - Jobs & money
Job offer & task scam
Task scams lure you with messages offering easy money for simple online 'tasks' like rating products or liking videos — then trick you into depositing your own money that you never get back.
Read the guide → - Buying & selling
Facebook Marketplace scam
Facebook Marketplace scams target both buyers and sellers with fake payment confirmations, bogus courier fees, overpayment tricks, and links that steal your bank login.
Read the guide →