Virgin Money has shared the top things people should do – and avoid doing – to prevent them from being caught out by fraudsters, after new research* reveals that 47% of people have almost been caught out by a scam and 39% have been targeted by a phishing scam.
The research, commissioned by Virgin Money ahead of Black Friday, also shows that 35% of people have received a ‘hi mum’/’hi dad’ text message purporting to be from a child asking for money, and 13% have spotted a fake celebrity endorsement of an investment. Two thirds who have been targeted have been caught out by at least one kind of scam, including free gift QR code grifts, or being tricked into surrendering a One Time Passcode (OTP) to scammers.
Brits also believe they are targeted by a scam on average four times a month, with emails the most likely place to find scam attempts (51%), followed by text messages (38%) and phone calls (32%). In addition, although 77% of people would be confident in how to report a scam, only 18% do actually report scams when they’ve been targeted, with 39% most likely to ignore them.
To help educate people on how to protect themselves from scammers, Gareth Pindred, head of fraud at Virgin Money, shares his top tips on how people can better protect themselves against scams. These are:
- Never share your pin, even with someone as close as a partner, as the information could be intercepted.
- Always keep One-Time Passcodes (OTPs) to yourself.
- Don’t take anything at face value – just because someone knows some basic details about you, it doesn’t mean they’re from a trustworthy source, as scammers can make trustworthy-looking phone numbers appear on your screen.
- You should never be rushed; major brands will never rush you for information or a decision, or to move money. They’ll give you the space to think – whereas scammers will apply pressure.
- Avoid clicking on unknown links or attachments, and don’t keep documents containing personal information on shared folders or drives.
- Finally, keep software, including antivirus software, up to date.
Gareth said: “There is a level of protection your bank can provide, but you are the first line of defence when it comes to protecting yourself from scammers. Some things may seem like common sense, but the reality is people across the nation are being scammed every week, so it’s the simple things you must keep front of mind. Remember, the chances are, if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t – so ensure you always trust your instincts above all else and take the time to Stop. Think. Check.”
These tips come after the research of 2,000 adults also found that the nation’s own security habits could use upgrading, with 40% admitting to using the same password for multiple online accounts. 19% have also kept passwords written out as ‘notes’ on their phone, in case they forget them, and 11% have sent a screenshot of their bank or credit card details to someone.
Gareth added: “There are a lot of own goals you can avoid scoring when it comes to staying safe online. Phone hackers can gain access your notes or photos and expose personal data, so always protect sensitive information by using locked or private folders that require your device’s screen lock (PIN, pattern, fingerprint, or face unlock). But most of the advice around staying safe online is the same as staying safe in the physical world – use some common sense, and if something seems too good to be true – it usually is. Remember, the first thing standing between fraudsters and your money is you, so arm yourself and avoid making yourself an easy target.”
Top 10 scams people should look out for:
- General phishing scam (where scammers impersonate trusted sources, such as banks or companies, to trick people into revealing their personal information. Often done via emails, texts or phone calls)
- Text message scam where people say ‘I’ve broken my phone mum/dad, please text this number’ and then attempt to scam money (where scammers manipulate the receiver to share personal information)
- Job opportunities shared via TikTok or WhatsApp (where scammers pose as recruiters or employers in order to get personal information)
- One-Time Password (OTP) scam (where scammers trick individuals into surrendering their OTPs)
- A celebrity endorsing a fake investment scam (where scammers falsely claim a well-known public figure supports or has profited from an investment opportunity to encourage the public to part with their money or personal information)
- Free-gift QR code scam (where scammers use counterfeit QR codes to trick people into revealing personal information, pretending to offer a free gift or prize)
- Sport/gig ticket buying scam (where scammers pose as ticket sellers on social media or online platforms and take buyers money but don’t have the tickets to sell)
- Lottery cons (where scammers falsely claim someone has won the lottery in order to trick them into handing over personal information)
- LinkedIn relationship fakes (where scammers create a fake professional profile on LinkedIn to build a relationship and use their trust to steal money, data or access)
- Cryptocurrency-romance scam (where victims are manipulated into sending cryptocurrency to someone they believe they are in a relationship with
For more information and advice on how to avoid falling victim to a scam or what to do if you think you have been targeted, visit Virgin Money’s dedicated scam support page: Spot the Scammers. Be Smart, Stay Safe | Virgin Money UK.
*About the research
The survey was carried out by OnePoll in November 2025 with 2,000 UK adults.