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Scam emails and texts
Fraudsters can send messages to try to steal your personal and banking details.
Let’s examine what tricks are in a typical scam email and text, then compare them with real examples so you know how to stay safe.
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How a scam text works
We use our phones so much that we often react to a text without thinking.
And that’s just what fraudsters want us to do.
Always check a text carefully before you do anything else. If you spot the obvious signs of a scam, report the text for free by forwarding it to 7726.
![This image is an example of a typical scam text]()
Fraudsters pretend to be genuine companies
Is there a company’s name at the top or a phone number that’s in your contacts? Fraudsters use unknown or random numbers. They also copy genuine phone numbers or hack into a chain of earlier messages. So never rely on these details as proof that a text is safe.
Did you expect to get the message?
Fraudsters use threats or tempting offers so you react without thinking. If a text comes out of the blue and is about money or sharing your details, it’s a scam.
Read it carefully
Spelling and grammar errors can be signs of a scam. But fraudsters are clever and often don’t make mistakes. Just because it’s perfect doesn’t mean a text is genuine.
Does it want you to follow a link?
This is how fraudsters get you to enter your details: with a link that goes to a fake site or pop-up. Before you click, make sure a text is genuine. Call the sender on a number you trust to ask if they sent it. Never use a phone number from a text.
Never be too quick to click. Your device can’t always tell you if a link is genuine or fake.
If you give your details to a fraudster, they could use them on a call to pretend to be someone you trust.
Examples of real scam texts
Anyone can get a text from a fraudster.
But now you know how to spot their tricks and avoid their scams.
![This is an image of a scam text that pretends to be from Royal Mail.]()
Can you spot all the tricks?
Fraudsters know that deliveries are common and hope you’re waiting for one. But Royal Mail would never send a message from a mobile phone number. If you get a text like this, never reply, just delete it.
![This is an image of a scam text that pretends to be about your energy bill.]()
How many tricks are in this text?
Fraudsters can use the name of an organisation when they send a text. Use a search engine to find the official website to make sure a message is genuine.
Have you tried a free email, link or website checker online? They let you type, or cut and paste an address or link to check if it’s genuine.
How a scam email works
The first thing to do with any email is to make sure it’s genuine.
Fraudsters know that people are often too busy or distracted to check carefully.
Wait until you’ve enough time to check it from top to bottom, or you might miss something that's obvious.
Fraudsters pretend to be genuine companies
Fraudsters can copy a company name, logo or style. But they can’t make an exact copy of an email address. Hover your mouse cursor over the address or tap it on a mobile device to show the sender’s full email. If it doesn’t match the sender’s name, it’s a scam.
Did you expect to get a message?
Scam emails come without warning. If it comes out of the blue and is about money or sharing your details, it’s a scam. Fraudsters use threats or tempting offers so you react without thinking.
Do they know your name?
Fraudsters are after your details, so be suspicious if it doesn’t greet you by name. Call the person or company on a number you trust to ask if they sent it. Never use a number from a suspicious email.
Read it carefully
Check for spelling and grammar errors as these can be signs of a scam. But fraudsters are clever and can write without mistakes. So, if you don’t find any, it doesn’t mean an email is genuine.
Does it want you to follow a link?
This is how fraudsters get you to enter your details: with a link that goes to a fake site or pop-up. Find the website on a search engine so you can contact them to check if the email is genuine.
If you spot any of these tricks, don’t reply, just delete the email.
Once a fraudster has your personal or banking details, they can use them on a call to pretend to be someone you trust.
Examples of real scam emails
You may have had one of these emails, but did you spot it as a scam?
Examine them now to spot the tricks we’ve just highlighted.
How many tricks can you spot?
A genuine email would end @royalmail.com. So, this is fake along with the logo, reference number and link. There’s no customer name because it was sent to many people. It’s after personal and banking details to use on a scam call.
Find all the warning signs
The main trick here is a threat to make you act without thinking.
Official organisations like this always send you a letter with your name before taking any action against you.
Have you tried a free email, link or website checker online? They let you type, or cut and paste an address or link to check if it’s genuine.
Other scams fraudsters use to trick you
Learn how fraudsters can use some of the same tricks on a call, through social media and when you buy online.
Eligible deposits with us are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). We are covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
Personalisation. We will always greet you personally using your name. We will never use ‘Dear User’ or ‘Dear Valued Customer’. Where you hold an existing account with us, we will quote the last four digits of your account number, such as your current account, savings account or credit card. If you don’t yet have an account with us but we have your postal address details, we may use part of your postcode. Internet Banking-related emails may also include your Internet Banking User ID.
Links. All links within our emails will go to a page on www.lloydsbank.com, or to trusted Government regulatory websites (e.g. Financial Ombudsman, Financial Conduct Authority, etc). Research emails may take you to a partner research company website, but we will never send you to a web page that asks for your logon, personal or banking details. However, we will sometimes include links to more information to help you and we will sometimes send you links to our secure app, to take you straight to the information you need.
In fraudulent emails, website addresses may appear genuine on first sight, but if you hover your mouse over the link without clicking, it may reveal a different web address. On our genuine emails the link address always starts with email.lloydsbank.com or www.lloydsbank.com. We will never link direct through to our Internet Banking log on page or to a page that asks for your security or personal details.
