Phishing attacks are one of the most common scam types to be aware of. Traditionally sent via email or text message, phishing attacks involve fraudsters posing as legitimate organisations to trick victims into clicking on bad links or revealing personal information. For instance, common scams include fraudsters posing as utility providers offering deals on energy bills or competitions to win fuel vouchers.

It’s wise to be cautious; consider these “red flags” that might indicate a cost-of-living scam:

• Urgency—Scammers often pressure victims into making quick decisions before fully analysing the facts. For example, a scam message might offer recipients a cost-of-living payment, but only if they provide bank details immediately. In contrast, a genuine company will usually give ample time for responses and won’t ask for personal details via email.

• Authority—Scammers may claim to be someone official. Therefore, it’s important to carefully check the sender’s details on all messages received. Often, scam messages will be sent from a public email domain rather than an official business address, though scammers may be able to mask their email domain, which your email service provider may flag for you. If in doubt, cross-reference the sender’s details against those displayed on the official company website.