Scam can be on the phone, text, email, social media, and at the door.
Be aware if:
- you are contacted out of the blue by phone, text, mail, at your door, email or the internet
- up-front payment is required
- the offer is time-limited or a special deal
- someone you don't know wants your bank details
- someone you don't know asks you to send them money
- someone asks for personal information
The aim of a scammer is to get your personal details and financially exploit you.
Be on your guard for:
- texts or emails purporting to be from a government agency such as HMRC or texts saying they are from NHS and want a payment
- texts from a delivery company
- information saying you are entitled to grants or rebates
- Information staying NEFLIX/AMAZON PRIME/SKY needs payment
- adverts about competitions
- energy efficiency deals/ home improvements
- Microsoft computer scams
- someone claiming to be from an official organisation such as your bank or local council
- gift card scams. Victims are approached by to pay bills, fees or debts using iTunes or other "high street" gift cards
- pension scams where cold callers seek to raid cash from your pension, or access your retirement savings
On your doorstep
- people turning up out of the blue
- trades offering quick fixes at one off prices
- aggressive salespeople
- rogue traders
Advice
Don't:
- do business with cold callers
Do:
- report texts to 7726
- report scams to consumeradvice.scot
- report emails to report@phishing.gov.uk
If you get a call from your bank's fraud department, hang up and dial 159.
For information on finding a reputable local trader visit our Angus Trusted Trader Scheme page.