Citizens Advice – Checking for a scam

Recognising a scam

If something seems too good to be true, it might be a scam – for example, a holiday that’s much cheaper than you’d expect or getting an item in the post that you didn’t order.

A scam can often start when someone you don’t know contacts you unexpectedly.

It might be a scam if:

• 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