Calls from "your bank" asking you to move money

The phone rings and someone from your bank's fraud team says there's suspicious activity on your account. They sound calm, they know your name, and the number on your screen may even match your bank's.

It is a scam. Your bank will never ask you to move money to another account to keep it safe, and it will never ask you to read out a code sent to your phone.

How it usually goes

The details change, but the pattern is very consistent.

A call, text or message says your account has been used fraudulently
The caller already knows some details about you, which makes them seem genuine
They say a member of staff is involved, so you mustn't tell anyone at the branch
They ask you to move money to a "safe account", or read out a one-time code
Some callers claim to be the police and ask you to help with an investigation

Why the number on your phone can't be trusted

Criminals can make a call display any number they like, including your bank's real one. This is called number spoofing. A familiar number proves nothing.

The same goes for text messages, which can appear in the same thread as genuine messages from your bank.

The rule that stops it

If anyone contacts you about your bank account, end the call and ring 159. It connects you safely to most major UK banks. Or call the number on the back of your card — from a different phone if you can, because some criminals keep the line open after you hang up.

Never move money because someone has asked you to on a call you didn't make
Never read out a code sent to your phone, whoever asks
Never let a caller onto your computer to "check" your banking
Being told to keep it secret is a warning sign on its own

If you've already moved money

Speed matters. Banks can sometimes stop or recover a payment if they hear quickly.

Ring your bank straight away on 159 or the number on your card
Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040
If the caller was on your computer, switch it off and have it checked before you bank on it again