Scam Alert! During Take Five Week (April 17-21), Brits are warned to beware of impersonation scams after a shocking 45,367 cases were reported in 2022, racking up losses of a whopping £177.6 million.
Impersonation Scams on the Rise
Criminals are pretending to be trusted organisations like banks, police, delivery firms, utility companies – even friends or family – to trick people out of their cash and personal details. Usually, it starts with an urgent call, text, email or message demanding money or info.
Shocking Stats Reveal Who’s at Risk
- 45,367 impersonation fraud cases in 2022 cost victims £177.6 million, UK Finance reports.
- Only 51% of people always check if a money or info request is legit.
- Younger adults aged 18-34 are the most vulnerable: just 38% always verify requests.
- One in five people who responded to such messages later realised they’d been duped.
Katy Worobec, UK Finance’s Managing Director of Economic Crime, warns: “Scammers are getting craftier every day. Even the savviest can be caught out in the moment. Always stop, challenge, and protect yourself with the Take Five advice.”
Celebrity Voice Joins the Fight
Impressionist Jess Robinson, famous from Spitting Image and Britain’s Got Talent, teamed up with Take Five to highlight how slick these scams can be. Jess says:
“As someone who does impersonations for a living, I know just how convincing scammers are. Even I can’t always spot a fake message. Always double-check requests on official numbers or in person — your bank or police will never ask for your PIN or to move money to a ‘safe’ account.”
How to Outsmart Scammers
- STOP: Take a moment. Don’t rush into sending money or sharing info.
- CHALLENGE: Question the request. It’s okay to say no or ignore suspicious messages.
- PROTECT: If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank and report to Action Fraud immediately.
Remember, scammers spend hours researching you to look legit. Don’t let your guard down. Check email addresses, look for spelling mistakes, and verify website links – but don’t rely on these alone, as tricks get more sophisticated.
Stay sharp. Stay safe. Take Five before you trust.
