Phishing emails and texts – these are messages pretending to be from a bank, a supplier, or even someone you know. They’ll ask you to click a link or log in. Once you do, they steal your details.
Advice – never click links in unexpected messages. Go directly to the official website instead.
Tech support cons – a caller says they’re from Microsoft or your internet provider and that your computer is infected. They ask for remote access or payment to “fix” it.
Advice – legitimate companies don’t cold call like this. Hang up and contact them directly through official numbers.
“Easy money” scams – think fake lotteries, bogus investments or those infamous foreign prince emails. They promise big rewards if you pay a “small fee” first.
Advice: If you didn’t enter a competition, you didn’t win. And anyone asking for upfront payment should set off alarm bells.
Online shopping and auction scams: Fraudsters hijack accounts with good reputations, sell fake goods, or convince you to use insecure payment methods like wire transfers.
Advice: Always use trusted payment systems (like PayPal) and never ship goods before money is safely in your account.
Social media tricks: A message from a friend saying “Is this you?” or “I’m stuck abroad, please send money.” Or apps that look fun but hide malware.
Advice: Verify through another channel (call or text) before acting, and research any new app before installing it.
Scammers prey on trust, urgency, and emotion. They don’t care who you are, they just want your money, your data, or access to your accounts.
The best defence? Slow down. Question everything. Educate your team. And make sure you’ve got strong security tools in place.
What’s the worst scam you’ve seen lately? Have you or your team ever had a close call?
We can help you protect your business, get in touch.
