Scam calls, fake texts and dodgy emails — how to spot them in 2026

By Vivienne Westwood

They are getting better at this. That is the uncomfortable truth.

Scammers have always existed. But in 2026 they have better tools, more convincing scripts, and far more information about you than ever before. UK fraud losses reached record levels last year. And the most targeted group? People who consider themselves too sensible to be caught out.

So here is what you actually need to know.

The three most common scams right now

• Impersonation calls

Someone calls claiming to be your bank, HMRC, the police, or a utility company. They know your name. They may know your postcode or the last four digits of your card. 

They create urgency — your account has been compromised, you owe a fine, there is suspicious activity etc, etc.

Your bank will never ask you to transfer money to a safe account. 

HMRC will never demand immediate payment by phone. 

The police will never ask for your PIN. 

If in doubt, hang up and call the organisation directly using the number on their official website.

• Fake text messages

A text arrives appearing to be from Royal Mail, your bank, DVLA, or a delivery company. 

It contains a link asking you to pay a small fee, confirm your details, or reschedule a delivery.

Look at the link carefully before clicking anything. 

Official organisations do not send links asking for payment or personal details by text. If you are not expecting a delivery or a message from that organisation, do not click.

• Phishing emails

An email arrives that looks exactly like one from Amazon, HMRC, your bank, or a well-known retailer. The logo, the colours, the layout — all convincing. But the sender email address, if you look carefully, is slightly wrong. And the link goes somewhere unexpected.

Hover over the sender address before clicking anything. One misplaced letter or an unusual domain — gmail instead of gov.uk, for example — is the giveaway.

The new threat - AI generated scams

This is where 2026 is genuinely different. AI can now generate highly personalised scam emails using your name, your location, and details scraped from social media. It can clone voices. It can create fake videos.

You may receive a message that sounds exactly like a family member asking for money urgently. 

You may get an email that references your street or a local business. 

This is not science fiction — it is happening now.

The rule that has always worked still works: slow down, verify independently. Consider having a family 'key word' that only you each know, and never transfer money or share passwords under pressure.  

If you think you have been scammed 

• Report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. 

• Contact your bank immediately. 

• Do not be embarrassed — these scams catch intelligent, careful people every day.

  
  

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