This type of scam involves a fraudster phoning you and pretending to be from a telecommunications company or internet provider. They will tell you that there is problem with your internet and that they can help you fix this. They may also say that your eBanking is at risk.

The caller will eventually ask you to:

• log on to your computer and carry out a number of instructions which can lead to you sharing your screen with the caller;
• give them remote access to your computer while you’re logged on to eBanking;
• log in to eBanking to check that it’s ok; or
• share the numbers from you Access ID card, either by telling them the digits or keying them in on screen.

Keep it safe

Never allow remote access or share your computer screen with someone else when you log on or are logged on to eBanking. We will never ask you to do this.

Payment scams can involve fraudsters contacting you, usually by telephone, pretending to be from a bank or from the police. They’re likely to use alarmist tactics, for example telling you that fraudsters are targeting your bank account, that there has already been fraudulent activity on your account, or you may even be told that a dishonest bank adviser is involved in the fraud.

Eventually, you will be asked to transfer money from your bank account to another account, in order to supposedly ‘keep it safe’. You will also be asked not to tell anyone about this, not even the bank.

Keep it safe

Neither the police, nor a bank will ever ask you to transfer funds to another account ‘for security purposes’.

This happens when the fraudsters send you an email which appears to come from someone you are due to pay money to. The address of the incoming email may vary slightly from the genuine email address or may come from the genuine email address which the fraudster has hacked into.

The email will either:

• request that you send the funds you are due to pay to a particular bank account identified by a six- digit sort code and an eight-digit account number; or
• tell you of an amended sort code and account number to that which was previously given to you.

Keep it safe

Always confirm the correct sort code and account number for payments by speaking directly with the person you are sending the funds to.

Smishing is a form of phishing, where fraudsters text you in a bid to make you call a fraudulent number and reveal your bank details.

The text may be something like 'Danske Bank has noticed your debit card was recently used on 12-03-2018 12:45:43, at PAYPAL for 1749.00GBP. If not you, please urgently call fraud prevention on 03308080566'.

Often, the text can appear to be genuinely from your own bank, or another bank or business that you aren’t connected with – they can even appear in amongst genuine texts from the businesses. They will likely use alarmist tactics, for example stating that your bank card has been used for a transaction and needing you to ‘urgently’ confirm it.

You’ll be asked to ring a number on the text to confirm the transactions and your bank details, like your eBanking logon, 3D Secure password, security code on the back of your card and more - so the bank can supposedly investigate for you.

Keep it safe

You shouldn’t phone numbers that are sent in texts like this one. If ever in doubt, look up the company and find a listed number that you can contact them with genuinely. Remember, we’ll never ask you for details like PINs, eBanking logons, security codes or passwords and you should report anyone who does.

Unexpected prize or lottery scams often involve you requiring to send a sum of money in order to claim your prize. Normally, you won’t have even entered the competition! The contact can be made by post, phone, email text or social media.

Often the scammers will say the fee to be paid is for insurance, taxes or bank fees and will nearly always ask you to respond quickly or risk missing out, as well as advising you to keep the win to yourself.

Keep it safe

If you haven’t entered any competitions or lotteries – you can’t win. If someone asks you to pay upfront to receive a prize or winnings, it’s almost always a scam. Never send money or give credit card, online account details or copies of important personal documents to anyone you don’t know or trust.

When shopping online, you may come across sellers offering extremely cheap deals for products. Ask yourself how do you know what you’re buying is real? Scams often occur on online marketplaces like Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace and they will ask you to pay via bank transfer instead of more secure methods such as PayPal.

Keep it Safe

Never transfer money to anyone unless you are sure what you’re buying is real and that you are purchasing from a legitimate source.

Investing can be a great way to make extra money. However, it comes with significant risk. Beware of investment firms offering returns that sound too good to be true. Before transferring money for an investment, ask yourself ‘how do I know this is a real investment company?’ Scammers can create websites and register with Companies House to make them look genuine.

Keep it Safe

Never transfer money to any investment firm unless you have first sought advice from an independent financial adviser. Always check to make sure they are registered to the FCA by visiting their website www.fca.org.uk .

Criminals need bank accounts to transfer fraudulent funds to. You may not know they are a fraudster but if they offer you payment to receive money into your account and then ask you to transfer it to another account – something is not right. You could be acting as a Money Mule. It’s a crime and can have serious consequence for you.

Keep it Safe

Never agree to receive and then transfer on funds from someone you don’t know and especially when you don’t know where the money has come from.