How to report fraud
Think you’ve been a victim?
Get in touch with us right away if you think you’ve seen suspicious activity on your account. Here you’ll find the numbers you need, the next steps to take and what we’ll do to help.
Protect yourself from scams
Learn about the different types of scam
Scams are getting more sophisticated every day, so it’s important to be alert. We’ve put together a list of current scams to help keep you protected.
Why you need to stay alert
Scammers do everything they can to appear legitimate, so this information can help you to protect yourself when you get a phone call, or an official-looking letter, email or text message, that you think might be suspicious.
Find out what the difference is between fraud and scams.
Learn about the latest scams.
Learn about how fraudsters target businesses.
If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, please contact us as soon as you can.
Types of scams to watch out for
These are among the most common tricks currently used by scammers but they constantly come up with new ways to contact you, so be vigilant.
Impersonation scams
When someone pretends to be the police, a bank, a friend or business, to convince you to send them money.
Investment scams
When you’re invited to invest in things that are worthless, or don’t exist.
Purchase scams
When fake or non-existent items are advertised for sale.
Advance fee scams
When fake companies ask for an upfront fee and then don’t provide the service you’ve paid for.
Invoice scams
When account details on an invoice are changed, or emails are intercepted, so the money is wrongly paid into the scammer’s account.
Romance scams
When someone pretends to be interested in a romantic relationship with you. They gain your trust and then ask for money.
Money mules
When you let someone put money into your account, which you then transfer on. You may be told you can keep some of the money for yourself.
Return to fraud and scams homepage
Have you educated yourself enough on the different types of scams? Head back to the homepage.
Our quick tips to get you started
Be sceptical and vigilant
Be especially careful of texts and emails containing links and attachments.
Talk to someone you trust
Always speak to a trusted family member or friend, or consider consulting a qualified financial adviser before investing your money.
Ask questions and do research
Read reviews of the sites or companies you’re thinking about dealing with. Don’t rush into making any payments. Check their web address too, to make sure the site is genuine – check there aren’t subtle misspellings in the web address and make sure there’s a padlock symbol shown next to the address in your browser.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
Beware of suspiciously good bargains – especially on social media.
Protection update
APP scams
We’ve signed up to the Contingent Reimbursement Model, a code that aims to offer you better protection from Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams.
An APP scam is a payment made by you, through Faster Payments or CHAPS, where you intend to transfer funds to somebody, but are instead deceived into transferring the funds to someone else; or you transfer funds for what you believe is a genuine purpose, and this turns out to be fraudulent.
As we continue to do everything we can to protect you, it's also important for you to protect yourself – our guides show you the steps you can take.
Online payments
The way you pay online is changing, to help protect you from fraud.
New rules on payment services mean you’ll sometimes be asked to prove it really is you when making some online purchases.
There are three ways you’ll be asked to confirm it’s you
- The Barclays app (make a few taps on your screen)
- Text message (type in a code sent to your mobile)
- PINsentry card reader (use it with your card to generate a code)
The quickest and easiest way to confirm is by using the Barclays app. Find out how the changes could affect you.
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Take control of your personal data
Stay safe online
Discover ways to help keep control over your personal data online.
Take Five to stop fraud
National awareness campaign
Take Five is led by UK Finance and backed by the Government and other organisations. If you receive a phone call, text or email you think might be fake, it urges you to stop – take five – and challenge what you’re told.
Master your Moneyverse
…and make money work for you
We’ve all got our own personal relationship with money – the way we spend it, save it, (try to) look after it and use it to help reach our goals and shape our dreams. This is your Moneyverse. It’s as unique as you are and we can help you become its master.