“Hi Mum, is this your new number?”

Posted on May 27, 2025

The Messages That Trick Thousands Every Day

“Hi Mum, I’ve smashed my phone – can you help me transfer some money?”
“Your parcel couldn’t be delivered – please click here to reschedule.”
“We’ve noticed unusual activity on your account. Log in now to secure it.”

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. Every day people fall for fraud messages just like these. Why? Because they look and sound real. Scammers don’t care who you are, they only need a moment of panic, trust, or confusion to take your money.

The Latest Scam Alert

This week, you may have seen that M&S customers were warned about a fake email scam that looks like it’s from the brand. It tells you to change your password, but in reality, it’s trying to trick you into clicking a dodgy link. Even if you don’t shop at M&S, these scams and fraud messages are a good reminder: if it looks suspicious or too urgent, pause.

Always Take Five: Stop, Challenge and Protect

STOP – Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
CHALLENGE – Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
PROTECT – Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.

Scams may be getting even more clever, but you can always stay one step ahead.

Spotting a Scam: Quick Checks to Stay Safe

Emails – Think Before You Click

  • Bad spelling or grammar? Red flag.
  • Asking you to click a link? Pause. Is that really necessary?
  • Hover over the sender’s name (don’t click!) Does the email address look dodgy?
  • Not sure? Delete it. Don’t click links or open attachments in suspicious emails.
  • Never share personal or financial details in reply to unexpected messages.

Websites – Look Before You Buy

  • Check for the padlock symbol next to the web address.
  • A secure site should start with https.
  • Click the padlock to see if the connection is secure.
  • Not sure if a site’s legit? Don’t enter any payment info.

Protect Your Devices

  • Keep your phone, tablet, and computer up to date with the latest software and security updates.
  • Install antivirus software on all devices. It helps stop spyware, viruses, and fraud attempts.
  • Make sure your browser (like Chrome or Firefox) is running the latest version.

For more tips, visit the National Cyber Security Centre or Action Fraud websites.

How Penny Post Keeps You Safe

  • We always ask 2 security questions to confirm your identity.
  • For phone withdrawals, we’ll ask for the last 3 digits of your bank account – never full details.
  • We’ll never email you asking for passwords – and no legit company should.

Been Targeted? Don’t Feel Embarrassed

Fraudsters are pros. If you’ve clicked something or transferred money by mistake, act fast. Call your bank immediately. The sooner we know, the more we can do. It really can happen to anyone.

Get in touch