This is for you if… someone has phoned, texted or emailed saying they are from your bank and you are not sure whether to trust them.
I was helping someone in Mildenhall recently who had received a very convincing call. The caller knew just enough to sound official, then started rushing them to “protect” their money. That pressure is the clue.
A real bank may contact you, but it will not panic you into acting immediately.
What your bank should never ask you to do
- Move money to a “safe account”.
- Share your PIN, full password or one-time passcode.
- Approve a payment you did not set up.
- Download remote access software.
- Hand your card to a courier.
The safest response
End the call. Then contact your bank using the number on the back of your card, the official app, or by calling 159 if your bank supports it. Do not use a number from the message or from the caller.
If you already gave information
Call your bank straight away. Say clearly what happened and what information you shared. If you gave away a password, change it from the official website or app.
A simple rule
If someone contacts you and then asks you to move money, share a code, or act in a hurry, stop. You are allowed to hang up, check, and take your time.
For more official guidance, Take Five has useful advice at takefive-stopfraud.org.uk.
Need someone to check it with you?
If you are in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire or Suffolk, my membership is for ongoing help and peace of mind. For one specific problem, you can book a one-off visit.