Could you spot a scam?
Fraudsters are constantly finding new ways to make scams look genuine. A message may appear to come from your bank, a delivery company, the NHS or another organisation you trust.
Derbyshire Constabulary’s Fraud Team has launched The Big Con, a regular newsletter providing practical advice, real-life examples and information about current fraud and scam tactics.
In the first edition, they highlight phishing scams and explain some of the warning signs to look out for:
🔴 An unexpected request to confirm your details
🔴 A message creating urgency or panic
🔴 Spelling mistakes or unusual formatting
🔴 Requests for passwords, PINs or one-time security codes
🔴 Someone asking you to move money to a “safe account”
🛑 Stop. Think. Fraud.
If something doesn’t feel right, pause before you click, reply or provide any information.
Avoid using links in unexpected messages. Instead, go directly to the organisation’s official website or app.
If someone calls claiming to be from your bank and you’re unsure, hang up and contact your bank using a trusted number. The newsletter also highlights 159, a telephone service that connects you directly to your bank’s fraud department.
Remember:
Your bank will never ask you to move money to keep it safe.
The newsletter includes a real-life example where a customer was persuaded to move money after receiving a convincing fake bank alert. The fraudster continued contacting them and eventually a £25,000 loan was taken out in their name.
Fraud can affect anyone, regardless of age or how confident you are online.
📖 Read the first edition of The Big Con for more advice and information.
Derbyshire Constabulary also offers free, interactive scam awareness sessions for community groups.
Stop. Think. Fraud.
Feedback is actively encouraged, and the Fraud Team would welcome any comments, suggestions, or ideas for future editions, which you can submit by emailing TheBigCon@derbyshire.police.uk.