Scam messages

Identifying scam messages

Fraudsters can copy texts and emails or send messages on social media. 

They can also hack into genuine accounts to target you with a message. 

They usually pretend to be someone you know, like your bank or a supplier.

A scam message can appear alongside other texts, emails or social media from an earlier chain. 

The aim is to steal important details and money. If successful, it can do real damage to your business.

We explain how to spot scam messages to help you keep your business safe.

Identifying scam messages

Fraudsters can copy texts and emails or send messages on social media. 

They can also hack into genuine accounts to target you with a message. 

They usually pretend to be someone you know, like your bank or a supplier.

A scam message can appear alongside other texts, emails or social media from an earlier chain. 

The aim is to steal important details and money. If successful, it can do real damage to your business.

We explain how to spot scam messages to help you keep your business safe.

Tips to beat scam messages

  • Check it’s genuine

    • Call us to check - If you’re not sure a text is from Lloyds Bank, contact us to make sure or check your account online.

    When it’s from another person or company, call them on a phone number you trust to ask if they sent it. Never use a number from a message, as fraudsters often add their own.

    Click with care

    • Only click a link if you know and trust the sender - Links can take you to a fake website or pop-up that wants you to enter important details.

    They can also hide a computer virus to attack your computer or phone.

    Protect your details

    • Login safely - We’ll never send you a text with a direct link to a login page or a page that wants personal or banking details.

    If you get a text like this or one you didn’t expect, don’t reply or click on any links. Report a scam text for free by forwarding it to 7726. Then delete it.

  • Check it’s genuine

    • Call the sender - When you’re not sure an email is from Lloyds Bank, contact us or look at your online account to see if anything is wrong.

    If it came out of the blue from a colleague or another company, talk to them in person.

    Use a number you trust, not one from a message, to ask if they sent the email.

    • Look at the address - Make sure the sender’s details are genuine.

    Hover your mouse cursor over the email address to see it in full. If you’re on a mobile phone, tap the address.

    Fraudsters often change a genuine email address to look similar, such as Lioyds and not Lloyds.

    Click with care

    • Only click after you check it’s safe - Make sure you know and trust the sender. You can check their address or call them on a number you trust.

    Links and downloads can hide a computer virus. Or a link could take you to a fake website.

    If a website looks odd in any way, don’t use it.

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

    Double-check any changes

    • Before you pay an invoice - Make sure the payment details are correct.

    Call to check on a number you trust, not one from a message.

    Fraudsters can pretend to be someone else to change payment details, or to send an invoice. Learn more about invoice fraud.

    Protect your details

    • Login safely - We’ll never send you an email or text with a direct link to a login page, or a page that wants your personal or banking details.

    If you get a message like this, it’s a scam. Delete it. Never reply to this kind of message.

    If you think it’s a scam

    • Report then delete it - You don’t have to reply to an email or click on any links. If it’s genuine, the sender will try to contact you again.

    If you’re not sure an email is from Lloyds Bank, forward it to our fraud team: emailscams@lloydsbanking.com

    For all other scam emails, forward them to report@phishing.gov.uk

  • Check it’s genuine

    • Call the sender - Fraudsters can use social media platforms and apps like WhatsApp. They pretend to be a person or business you know to ask for an urgent payment.

    If you get a message like this, don’t reply, just delete it.

    Call the person or business a message claims to be from to check it’s genuine. Use a phone number you trust, like the one saved in your phone. Never call the number from a message, as fraudster’s can add their own.

  • If you get an email from us, there are many ways to tell if it's real or not.

    We’ll always:

    • Greet you by name - As in Mrs Smith
    • Include part of your main account number - Or part of your postcode if you don't have an account number yet
    • Write to you in a reasonable and calm way - To try to trick you, scam messages may use warnings, threats of fraud or problems with your business account.

    We’ll never send a message that:

    • Asks for account details like your user ID, password, and memorable information
    • Wants your business bank card PIN code or expiry date
    • Tells you to move money to another account
    • Asks you to make a test payment online
    • Wants your security number for Telephone Banking
    • Links directly to our Internet Banking login page. Or a page that asks for your security or personal details.

    You can also check our email address to spot a scam. It should end with lloydsbank.co.uk or lloydsbanking.com and never have another word in between lloydsbank and .co.uk or .com.

  • That's wrong!

     

    We’ll never send you a text or email with a link that takes you directly to a login page. Or directly to a page that wants you to enter your personal or banking details. Learn how to spot a scam message.

    That’s right!

     

    We’ll never send you a text or email with a link that takes you directly to a login page. Or directly to a page that wants you to enter your personal or banking details. Only fraudsters do this.

    That’s wrong!

     

    If we send you a text or email, we’ll include part of your name, business account number or post code. Learn how to spot a scam message.

    That’s right!

     

    If we send you a text or email, we’ll include part of your name, business account number or post code.

    That's wrong!

     

    Fraudsters can add or change a number in a message. They want you to call them and not the real person or company they’re pretending to be. Fraudsters can also copy a phone number, so it looks genuine on your caller ID. Learn how to spot a scam message.

    That’s right!

     

    Never trust a phone number from an unexpected text, email, or call. Check a number against a source you trust, such as a company website.

Learn about other scams and how to protect your business