Latest scams

People may target you when you’re away from home or work, like on a night out.

Their aim is to steal your device when it’s unlocked. Or they may try to see the PIN you use to unlock your phone before they try to take it. So, be suspicious of anyone looking over your shoulder when you use your phone.

To see your device, a thief may ask you to use it to help them in some way. Some people will take it by force.

After stealing it, if they find enough details on your device, they can reset your Mobile Banking app password. They can then add a new payee and make payments without your approval. 

To reset your password, they need your username, sort code, account number, full name, and date of birth.

Be suspicious of strangers asking for help if it means using your device, especially when you’re alone.

Always know where your device is. If you leave it out of your sight, someone can steal it in seconds.

Only use your device when it feels safe to do so. Make sure nobody else can see your PIN when you enter it.

Always put away your device after using it.

Never store your personal or banking details on your device.

If you’re in danger, call the police on 999. 

Do these things now to protect your phone in case it gets stolen:

• Secure it 
  Create a strong PIN, passcode, password or pattern. You can also use your fingerprint, face or other biometric, if your phone allows.
• Know your IMEI number
  The IMEI (International Mobile Station Equipment Identity) number can help track your phone down. Type *#06# on your phone keypad to get this number. Keep it in a safe place. 
• Get a tracking app
  This kind of app helps you to see where your phone is from a laptop or another device. Use it before a thief turns it off.
• Turn off message previews
  If your phone is locked, a thief won’t see any messages about reset or login codes.
• Make sure you can still access your data
  Back up your data regularly.
  
  And have somewhere else to get two-factor authentication codes, so you can access your data from another device.
• Keep a back up of contacts and passwords
  Store important contact details and passwords  in a secure place, like a password manager, that you can open without your phone.
• Further support
  If your phone is stolen, report it immediately to your network provider and your bank.
  
  You can get help with tracking your device, account recovery and message preview settings from Google and Apple.

Apple iPhone support

Google Android phone support

You get a phone call from someone who claims to be your bank. The caller, who’s a fraudster, knows some of your business, personal and financial details. 

They tell you there’s an issue, such as with your account, telephone line or device.  

To protect your account, the fraudster asks you to visit a Lloyds Bank website. The link or web address they give goes to a fake website, which downloads software that lets the fraudster take control of your device. They can then capture anything you type, like your logon details.  

A fraudster may also ask you to enter or share card reader codes. These codes can either approve payments from your account or register you for our app.

Learn how to avoid scam emails and texts. Fraudsters use scam emails and texts to steal your details to use on a scam call.

Always check who’s calling you, even if they claim to be your bank. Hang up then call your bank on a number you trust. If you don’t have our telephone number to hand, you can dial 159 to call us safely.

If a caller asks you to follow a link to our website or asks you to download something, it’s a scam. 

Save our website address so you can always get to our genuine website.

Contact us right away if you notice anything unusual with our website.

And always keep your card readers codes private. Never share them with anyone.

Discover more about scam calls

Your business gets a phone call from someone who claims to be your bank, but it’s a fraudster. 

They know some of your personal, business, and financial details and tell you someone has tried to make a Telephone Banking payment from your account. 

The fraudster gives you a fraud reference number and asks you to ring back. The contact number is genuine, but the fraudster doesn’t end the original call, they stay on the line. When you dial the number, you go straight back to the fraudster.

They pass your call between different departments to build trust.

Then, to protect your account, the fraudster asks you to follow a link to a Lloyds Bank website. This is a fake website. 

They tell you to click somewhere on the website and an Anydesk download popup will appear. The fraudster will give a reason why it’s safe to agree to this download. 

But this gives the fraudster control of your device and your screen will go blank. 

The fraudster then asks you to share card reader codes. These codes approve payments from your account.

Learn how to avoid scam emails and texts. This is how fraudsters steal your details to set you up for a scam call.

If you get a call that claims to be your bank, always double-check. Hang up then call your bank on a number you trust.

Never trust a caller who gives a link to our website or asks you to download something. They’re a fraudster. 

Save our website address and always use it.

Online for Business: https://onlinebusiness.lloydsbank.co.uk

Commercial Banking Online: https://cbonline.lloydsbank.com

Contact us right away if you notice anything unusual with our website.

And always keep your card reader codes private. Never share them with anyone.

Learn more about scam calls

Your business gets an email from a person or company you know. It can even be from a work colleague.

The sender’s email address could be genuine, or it might be a close copy of their real address.  

The message is about a payroll payment or for goods or services and includes an invoice or a change to account details.

The email or invoice may also include contact details.

Always double-check any invoice or changes to payment details.

Call the person or company on a number you trust to make sure it’s genuine and to check details. Fraudsters can add their own contact details to an invoice or email.

Fraudsters can hack into email accounts and pretend to be someone you know. Or they can change a letter or number to make a close copy of a genuine email address.

Find out more about invoice scams

Fraudsters post adverts for goods or services through online marketplaces, especially Facebook Marketplace. 

If you contact the seller, they’ll reply with a link and ask you to visit their website.

The website may seem genuine. It can include photos and details of their goods or services, plus things like contact details and customer reviews.

If you leave your contact details, they may get in touch to find out how they can help you. And if you order anything, they’ll send an invoice with bank account payment details.

Once you pay, they’ll disappear or block you and you’ll never get the goods or services because they don’t exist. 

Always go to see an item in person before you pay. A genuine seller will allow you to visit.

If you need a service of any kind, meet with the person or business either by video or face to face.

Research the seller, or goods or services. Check independent reviews and ask lots of questions. 

Be suspicious of any online marketplace seller who wants you to visit their website.

Protect your payment. A genuine website will let you pay by a method that protects your money, like a debit or credit card.

Learn more on how to buy online safely