It’s a new month, but sadly the same old tactics. Just smarter, slicker, and sometimes more sinister. As scammers become more sophisticated, it’s more important than ever to know what to look out for.
Here’s our July round-up of the latest UK scams, so you can stay one step ahead.
Amazon Prime Day scam warning
Amazon Prime Day (8–11 July) is a big deal for bargain hunters, but it’s also a hotspot for scams. Consumers across the UK are being warned about increasingly sophisticated phishing emails, texts, and phone calls that look convincingly real – all thanks to AI.
Scammers are using fake Prime membership renewal notices, bogus refund offers, and claims that your Amazon account has been hacked. In some cases, they ask you to download software that gives them remote access to your device, putting your bank details at serious risk.
Remember:
- Amazon will never ask for payment details or remote access via phone or email
- Don’t click on links in unexpected messages—go directly to amazon.co.uk
- Be cautious of pressure tactics or anything that feels too urgent or official
- Report suspicious messages to [email protected] and forward texts to 7726
If in doubt, don’t respond. Take a moment to double-check and trust your instincts, because if something feels off, it probably is.
SMS blaster scams targeting nearby phones
Police have uncovered a disturbing new scam using “SMS blaster” devices – portable equipment that impersonates mobile masts and sends fraudulent texts to anyone nearby, even without knowing their number.
Victims receive credible looking SMS messages claiming to be from HMRC, banks, or parcel services, prompting them to click links or share secure details. These texts bypass standard spam filters and can look alarmingly genuine.
Don’t click links in unexpected messages. If you suspect a message is fake, forward it to 7726 (free). Android users can disable 2G connectivity; iPhone users should use the filter for unknown senders.
Airline loyalty programme breaches leading to follow-up phishing
While not a UK-based breach, a significant hack of Australia’s top airline recently exposed names, emails, and phone numbers of 6 million passengers – including some UK customers.
Now affected Qantas customers are being warned to look out for phishing emails. These could include fake loyalty account warnings, password reset links, and requests to “verify to claim bonus points”. All designed to steal login credentials.
If you are a Qantas customer, assume your data may have been compromised. Don’t open email links. Instead, go directly to the airline’s official website or app to check your account. You should also enable two-factor authentication and monitor bank statements for strange charges.
Fans urged to stay alert after £1.6m lost to gig ticket scams
Last month, we warned that ticket fraud was on the rise. With scammers using fake websites, unofficial resale platforms, and social media ads to lure buyers with offers that seem too good to be true.
The UK Home Office is now warning music fans to watch out for last-minute ticket scams, especially those advertised on social media, after new figures reveal that over £1.6 million was lost to fake ticket sales in 2024 alone, with nearly 3,700 cases reported to Action Fraud.
Young people in their twenties were hit hardest, and almost half of all scams involved offers made through social media platforms.
With high-profile tours like the Oasis reunion attracting scammers, authorities are urging fans to follow the Stop! Think Fraud campaign advice. Always pause before parting with your money, and never buy from unofficial sellers.
Fake parking fine texts on the rise
Drivers across the UK are being warned about scam text messages claiming you owe money for an unpaid parking charge. These messages may look official and urgent, but they’re fake.
Council are waning residents that they do not send texts demanding payment for parking fines.
Here’s how to stay safe:
- Don’t click on links in texts claiming you have an “outstanding parking charge”
- Never hand over personal or payment details via text
- If in doubt, contact your local council directly using the number on their official website
- Report scam texts by forwarding them to 7726 and logging them with Action Fraud
If a message seems designed to make you panic or pay up quickly, stop and double-check. It could save you from a costly mistake.
Booking.com scam: holidaymakers targeted through hacked hotel accounts
Planning a summer break? Be extra cautious. Fraudsters are using hacked hotel accounts on Booking.com to send convincing fake messages directly through the platform. Victims have already lost over £370,000 to this scam, and reports are rising in the run-up to peak holiday season.
Scammers are gaining access to hotel Booking.com accounts when staff accidentally click phishing links. Once inside, they message guests pretending to be the hotel, asking for payment verification or urgent balance top-ups, often with pressure tactics like “your booking will be cancelled in 6 hours.”
Because the messages appear within the Booking.com app or email chain, they seem trustworthy, making them harder to spot. Some customers have paid hundreds or even thousands, only to find out on arrival that their booking was never updated and they’ve been scammed.
Top tip: Never send money through a link in a message. If in doubt, call the hotel directly using a verified number, or access your Booking.com account through the official app or website, not via email links.
Stay one step ahead
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