How to spot a scam text

In a hurry and a link? Don't click.

The answer in 2 lines. Be wary of any text that rushes you, asks you to click a link, pay a small fee or give your details: a parcel waiting, an unpaid fine or toll, a tax refund from "HMRC", or a relative who has "lost their phone". Don't click and don't reply. Check by opening the official app or website you already know, or call the organisation on a number you trust. Then forward the text to 7726 and delete it.

The first 3 steps

Don't click the link and don't reply, not even "STOP" if the message looks suspicious.
Check for yourself: open the official app or website you already know (delivery company, GOV.UK, your bank), without using the link.
Forward the text to 7726, then delete it.

Warning signs

Urgency: "final reminder", "within 24 hours", "your account will be suspended".
A link to click, often shortened or with an address that looks almost, but not quite, like a real one.
A small fee: redelivery fee, unpaid fine, admin charge. The real aim is your card details.
A request for details: passwords, a code sent by text, card number, bank details.
An unknown sender or an ordinary mobile number claiming to be an organisation.

The most common scam texts

Parcel delivery: pay a fee to release a parcel you were not expecting.
Fines, tolls and parking: pay a penalty through a link.
HMRC or other government bodies: claim a tax refund or pay a bill.
Your bank: confirm a payment or "secure your account".
"Hi Mum" or "Hi Dad": a relative with a new number who urgently needs money.

What not to do

Replying to the message, even to say you know it's a scam: it confirms your number is active.
Calling the number given in the text to "check". Use a number you find yourself.

If you've already clicked

Typed nothing: close the page and download nothing.
Typed a password: change it now, everywhere you use it.
Typed card details: call your bank at once on 159 or the number on your card.
Full steps are in our guide "I clicked on a scam link: what now?".

Good to know

A scam text can appear in the same thread as genuine messages from a real organisation, because the sender name can be faked.
Check any message about a tax refund or tax bill through GOV.UK or the HMRC app, never through a link in a text.

In Sheffield, Margaret gets a text: "Your parcel is on hold, pay £1.45 within 24 hours." She isn't expecting anything. She doesn't click, forwards the text to 7726 and deletes it.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Protect yourself

Keep the habit: a text that rushes you and has a link, you don't click.
Turn on your phone's spam filter.
Talk about it with older relatives: these scams target everyone.

Useful numbers and contacts (UK)

159: the Stop Scams UK number that puts you through to your own bank's real fraud team (most major banks take part).
7726: forward a scam text here, free on most UK networks.
report@phishing.gov.uk: forward a scam email here (National Cyber Security Centre).
Report Fraud: the national police reporting service for fraud and cybercrime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which replaced Action Fraud, at reportfraud.police.uk.
101: police non-emergency number. In Scotland, report fraud to Police Scotland on 101.
999: only if a crime is happening now or someone is in danger.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on 18 October 2026, for England. Confidence: high for the warning signs and the 7726 and phishing reporting services (GOV.UK, NCSC); we do not quote a number of scam texts reported, as we could not confirm a recent official figure. This guide describes common cases, not a diagnosis or legal advice.