The best way to protect yourself from scams is to be aware of them. Scammers are always coming up with new ways to trick people, so it’s important to stay informed and know what to look for. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Don’t give out your personal information to anyone you don’t know and trust, and never click on links in emails or text messages from people you don’t know.

Being scam aware is the best way to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

Check if something might be a scam

Scams can be difficult to recognise, but there are things you can look out for.

It might be a scam if:

  • it seems too good to be true – for example, a holiday that’s much cheaper than you’d expect
  • someone you don’t know contacts you unexpectedly
  • you suspect you’re not dealing with a real company – for example, if there’s no postal address
  • you’ve been asked to transfer money quickly
  • you’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way – for example, by iTunes vouchers or through a transfer service like MoneyGram or Western Union
  • you’ve been asked to give away personal information like passwords or PINs
  • you haven’t had written confirmation of what’s been agreed

Check if you can get your money back after a scam

You might be able to get your money back after you’ve been scammed.

What you should do, and whether you’ll get a refund, depends on what happened.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

If you’ve been scammed, you need to:

  • protect yourself from further risks
  • check if you can get your money back
  • report the scam

Report a scam

If you’ve been scammed, there are organisations you should report the scam to.

Don’t feel embarrassed about reporting a scam – scammers are clever and scams can happen to anyone.

Reporting a scam helps track down and stop scammers. This prevents other people from being scammed.

You should:

  • protect yourself from further risks
  • gather all the details of the scam
  • report the scam to us
  • report the scam to other organisations

Get emotional support if you’ve been scammed

If you’re stressed or worried because of a scam, you can talk to someone from these organisations.

  • Victim Support
  • The Samaritans
  • Age UK

Get help with online scams

You can contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline if you:

  • think you might have found a scam
  • need advice about scams
  • want to report a scam

We’ll let you know what to do next, and give you support on the issues you might be facing.

Before you report a scam to us, you should first check our advice on reporting a scam.

If you are unable to find the help/advice that you require in the above article(s) then the next quickest way to get help is by filling in the following Advice form. By taking the time to enter all the information it will help us to help you quicker than if you just call us.

Please check the areas where we can offer support and read the Client Agreement between you and Citizens Advice Rural Cambs before contacting us for help/advice, thank you.

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