The top five worst scams - Video script

Rachel Robson reveals five of the worst scams around...

In today’s video, I’m going to highlight five of the worst scams to watch out for.

1. Phishing

Phishing is one of the most common forms of fraud. You receive an email which appears to be from your bank requesting you to reset or confirm your security details - often by following a link.

However, these links will often take you to a fake website with the aim of getting hold of your personal or financial details to defraud you. So make sure you delete any emails you get like this and don't click on any links.

2. Lotteries

You receive an email telling you that you've won a large sum of money. But when you phone up to claim your prize money, you’ll be told you need to hand over a fee first. And if you do, you’ll never see that money again.

Remember, if you haven’t bought a lottery ticket, you can’t have won a prize!

3. Bogus holiday clubs

You're approached by a scratchcard tout or receive a phone call to say you’ve won a free holiday. All you need to do is attend a presentation to collect your prize.

But at the presentation, you’ll be persuaded to sign up to an exclusive club and pay a fee for the privilege. If you do this, you may find you’ve bought little more than access to an internet booking service offering the same service you could find in your local travel agent.

4. Emails from friends in need

You receive an email from a friend claiming he has lost his wallet and passport abroad and desperately needs money to pay for his hotel bill and flight home.

However, if you respond to this email and send off the money, you won’t see it again. The email is not from a friend, but from a scammer who will happily run off with your cash and maybe ask for more.

5. Charity or disaster relief

Often, following a natural disaster, you might receive emails requesting donations. However, these are fake charity appeals and will often take you to a fake website to obtain your credit card or bank details.  Charities do not tend to ask you for your bank details via email. So don’t hand them over.

You can find out more about these scams and others on the lovemoney.com website.