what to do if you’re targeted

● CALL THE POLICE

If you’re worried you may have transferred money to a scammer, call 101 immediately. Make notes before you ring so you remember every detail, including what the scammer said, any names or numbers they gave you, what you told them – ie passwords, PIN, bank details – whether you paid them any money, how much, and how. If you feel unsafe as a result of the incident, call 999.

● CONTACT ACTION FRAUD

This is the police unit that analyses fraud and cyber crime, so they will give you a crime reference number to pass on to your bank, who you should call next. Call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.

● TACKLE POSTAL SCAMS

If you’ve received something dodgy in the post, Royal Mail will investigate. Send the item to Freepost Scam Mail, including the envelope it came in and a completed scam mail report, which you can obtain (plus a pre-paid envelope) by calling 0800 011 3466 or emailing scam.mail@royalmail.com

● REPORT INVESTMENTS, INSURANCE & PENSIONS TO THE FCA

If the scam involves investments, insurance or pensions, report it to the Financial Conduct Authority on 0800 111 6768. If you’ve been tricked into transferring your pension, tell your pension provider immediately, and then call The Pensions Advisory Service on 0800 011 3797.

● ALERT THE REAL COMPANY

If the scammer is pretending to be a company or person, contact the real firm or individual to let them know.