Report, protect, look out for family

Lesson 11 of 14 in our free Scams & Fraud guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.

Reading is cool. Playing is cooler.

This lesson is a 5-minute game. Free, no sign-up needed.

The story so far

Nana: A man rang saying he was a police officer and needed my bank card collected for 'evidence'. I hung up and rang my bank on another phone.
You: Nana! Good call. Police never do that.
Nana: My neighbour wasn't so lucky, love. So we look out for each other. You teach me the app stuff, I'll teach you a proper gravy.
Chip: Today: who to report to, how to protect your identity, and how to look out for the people you love.

A scam text about a parcel (you didn't click) → Forward to 7726. Forward it free to 7726.
Money left your account and you didn't make the payment → Your bank. Call your bank first, right away.
You lost money to a fake landlord and need a crime reference → Report Fraud / police. Report it — and tell your bank too.
A scam call left you worried your card details were taken → Your bank. Your bank can block the card.
Posting a photo of your new bank card online → Puts it at risk. Even partly visible numbers help fraudsters.
Using a different password for email and banking → Protects it. One leak won't unlock everything.
Turning on two-step verification → Protects it. A second lock on the door.
Checking your credit file for accounts you didn't open → Protects it. Spots identity theft early. Free to check.
Binning letters with your details without shredding → Puts it at risk. Bin-raiding is still a thing.
Myth: “Real police officers may send a courier to collect your bank card.” — Never. This is courier fraud, often aimed at older people.
Fact: “Agreeing a 'safe word' with family can help beat fake emergency calls and voice clones.” — AI can copy voices. A family code word is hard for a scammer to guess.
Fact: “Your bank can help if you're worried an older relative is being scammed.” — Banks have teams for vulnerable customers. Speak to them together.