Latest scams

Virgin Money WhatsApp impersonation scams

A fraudster may call you pretending to be from Virgin Money, the police or a regulator. They may then ask you to continue the conversation on WhatsApp.

They may send you a convincing email containing a representative’s name and case ID. This is designed to make the call appear genuine and gain your trust.

On WhatsApp, they may use the Virgin Money logo as their profile picture. They may start a voice or video call and ask you to share your screen.

They may then tell you to sign in to the Virgin Money app and approve transactions. They could claim this will stop fraud or keep your account safe.

How to stay safe:

• We don’t contact customers on WhatsApp or ask you to move a conversation there.
• We’ll never send you an email during an unexpected call to prove the caller is from Virgin Money.
• We’ll never ask you to share your screen.
• We’ll never ask you to approve a transaction to stop fraud.
• We’ll never ask you to reverse a payment or move money to a ‘safe account’.
• If someone asks you to do any of these things, end the call or conversation immediately.
• Contact us using the number on the back of your card or a trusted number from our website.

Fake celebrity investment scams

Fraudsters use fake adverts, social media posts and articles that appear to show celebrities or public figures recommending an investment.

They may use artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing video or audio, making it look and sound like the person is genuinely promoting the investment.

If you respond or share your contact details, a fraudster may contact you claiming to be an investment expert.

They may:

• pressure you to invest quickly
• promise high returns with little or no risk
• direct you to a professional-looking website
• show you fake profits to encourage you to pay more money

How to stay safe:

• Do not invest based only on an online advert, celebrity endorsement or testimonial.
• Be suspicious of guaranteed returns or ‘risk-free’ investments.
• Take your time and do not let anyone pressure you into investing.
• Research the company independently before sharing information or paying money.
• Check the company is listed on the FCA Financial Services Register.
• Consider getting independent financial advice from a regulated adviser.

One-time passcode scams

Fraudsters are targeting customers by trying to add other people’s debit or credit cards to their own digital wallets, like Apple Pay or Google Pay.

To do this, they trick people into sharing one-time passcodes (OTPs) sent by their bank.

How to stay safe:

• Never share a one-time passcode with anyone, not even us
• Be cautious of unexpected calls or messages asking for passcodes or verification codes
• If you’re unsure, hang up and call 159 or use the number on the back of your card
• Keep notifications on for your cards and digital wallets so you can spot any unusual activity quickly

Recruitment scams

Fraudsters pose as recruiters or employers offering fake jobs, often through social media or job sites. They promise easy money or high salaries for little experience.

Scams often start with a message about a job opportunity, then move to WhatsApp or email. You may be asked to complete simple tasks, like liking a video or following an account on social media, or pay an upfront fee for training or background checks.

Once you pay, the scammer disappears and the job never existed.

How to stay safe:

• Check the recruiter and job are genuine by contacting the company directly.
• Be suspicious of requests for upfront payments, especially if you’re given a sort code and account number to send the money.
• Never share personal or banking details with anyone you haven’t verified.
• If you’re unsure, don’t reply and report it to Action Fraud.

QR code scams

Scammers use fake QR codes to direct people to fraudulent websites or payment pages. They might place stickers over genuine codes in public places or send codes in emails, texts, or social posts.

When scanned, these codes can take you to fake websites that steal your details, trigger malware downloads or set up unauthorised payments or subscriptions.

How to stay safe:

• Only scan QR codes from trusted sources.
• Check the web address that opens and look for spelling errors or odd domains.
• For payments or offers, use a company’s official app or website instead of a QR code.
• Avoid scanning QR codes in unsolicited messages, especially those urging you to act fast.

Black Friday and seasonal scams

Fraudsters use busy shopping seasons to promote fake deals or set up bogus online stores.

You might see ads or emails offering huge discounts. Once you pay, the item never arrives or your card details are stolen.

How to stay safe:

• Buy only from retailers you know and trust.
• Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
• Check the site is secure. Look for “https://” and a padlock symbol.
• Use secure payment methods such as debit or credit cards, not bank transfers.
• Keep an eye on your accounts for unfamiliar transactions.

Purchase scams on social media

Scams on social media, especially marketplace sites, are on the rise. Fraudsters post fake ads for items that don’t exist, asking for payment upfront or a large deposit. Once paid, they disappear.

How to stay safe:

• Check the seller’s profile, is it new? Do they have reviews or real activity?
• Avoid paying a deposit or full amount upfront, especially for high-value items.
• Always see the item in person, where possible, before handing over money.
• Take your time. Don’t feel pressured into making a quick decision.

WhatsApp impersonation scams

You get a message from a fraudster who is claiming to be your friend, son, daughter or family member. They say their phone has been damaged and it’s a new number or they are messaging from a friend’s phone. It always an emergency and they need you to send them money urgently.

How to stay safe:

• Check it’s really them. Don’t take any action until you’ve contacted the person on their usual number or met up with them in person.
• Ask yourself is this request out of character and does it seem realistic?

Worried you might have fallen for one of these scams?

If you think someone has targeted you, get in touch with us right away.