NTS Scams Teams

‘Poisoned’ AI models recommending scam websites to consumers

Criminals are ‘poisoning’ AI (artificial intelligence) models such as Chat GPT and other large language models (LLMs) so that they pick up scam websites and recommend them to consumers searching online, according to National Trading Standards (NTS) and Ask Silver, a free consumer scam checking platform.

Phone scams take sinister twist as victims’ voices cloned

Chilling new wave of AI-assisted fraud targets older people and clones their voices

4.7 million people paying for a subscription they didn't know they had signed up for

More than 20 million* UK adults have signed up to a subscription without realising it, and of these, 4.7 million are STILL paying for a subscription they didn’t ask for, according to new figures released today by National Trading Standards**. The data reveal the widespread impact of so-called ‘silent scams’ that involve low value but high-volume thefts.

19 million lose money to scams but fewer than a third report

#NoBlameNoShame campaign launched to encourage people to talk about scams

NTS Scams Team helps ICO tackle nuisance calls

UK victims of international mass marketing scam to be compensated from recovered monies

Compensation roll-out begins following landmark investigation.

Consumer Minister becomes millionth recruit to scam-fighting initiative Friends Against Scams

National Trading Standards scheme reaches ‘one million Friends’ milestone and saves society £59m.

Scams Team wins Tackling Economic Crime Award

WhatsApp launches ‘STOP. THINK. CALL.’ campaign to stamp out message-based scams

WhatsApp enlists ‘Scambassador’ Joel Dommett to encourage the British public to Stop. Think. Call. before responding to a suspicious message that may be a scam

36 million Brits targeted by a scammer so far this year

More than two thirds of British adults (36 million) have been targeted by a scammer since January, new research by Citizens Advice has found.

Scam and nuisance phone calls return to pre-COVID-19 levels

New findings highlight a surge in the proportion of scam and nuisance calls as callers target people over the age of 70 to exploit new and unfamiliar processes associated with COVID-19, such as applying for swab tests and vaccines.

Public urged to help combat scam mail

Scamnesty launched to turn the tables on criminals

World Alzheimer’s Day: action on scams

Anyone can be the victim of a scam, however some people are more vulnerable to scams and criminals will use this to their advantage.

Rise in telephone scams predicted as lockdown eases

As COVID-19 lockdown measures start to ease, National Trading Standards is predicting a rise in scam telephone calls as illegitimate call centres around the world get back to work.

Businesses join forces to combat COVID-19 scams

More than 100 organisations are spearheading a new initiative to combat fraud against businesses as more companies and employees adjust to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing their exposure to sophisticated business scams.

Protecting businesses from COVID-19 scams

Malicious email attachments, false government grant phone calls and CEO impersonation scams are among a raft of scams undermining businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beware of COVID-19 scams

Unscrupulous criminals are exploiting fears about COVID-19 to prey on members of the public, particularly older and vulnerable people who are isolated from family and friends. National Trading Standards is warning people to remain vigilant following a rise in coronavirus-related scams that seek to benefit from the public’s concern and uncertainty over COVID-19.

Lloyds Banking Group joins 'Friends Against Scams' campaign

National Trading Standards and Lloyds Banking Group have today announced a new partnership designed to prevent people falling victim to scams.

Government helps dementia sufferers in fight against nuisance calls

Prime Minister Theresa May announces plan to give elderly and vulnerable people hi-tech devices to block nuisance calls.

Statement from National Trading Standards

Following media coverage this morning regarding repeat victims lists, National Trading Standards has published the following statement.

​New campaign to tackle criminal scams launched

A new campaign has launched today to raise awareness of scams and encourage people to take a stand against them. Scams often target people in vulnerable situations - the Friends Against Scams campaign aims to protect and prevent these people from becoming victims of scams by empowering communities to ‘Take a Stand Against Scams’.

Scams campaign scoops award

The National Trading Standards Scams Team has seen its pioneering Friends Against Scams campaign recognised at the Government Counter Fraud Awards. The NTS Scams Team scooped the Excellence in Fraud Awareness award for the campaign.

New warning over scam mail

Nearly 750,000 pieces of scam mail have been prevented from entering the UK postal system in the last three months

National Trading Standards partners with Home Instead to tackle elderly fraud

A new partnership between the National Trading Standards Scams Team and home care provider, Home Instead Senior Care, will place Home Instead’s 8,000 caregivers at the forefront of a new scambusting initiative.

Vulnerable consumers saved over £5 million

Fight against mail scams intensifies during Scams Awareness Month

Council worker launches national scams team to protect the vulnerable

Louise Baxter received a Hero Award at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute's Conference in Bournemouth on Thursday 2 July for the significant contribution she made to consumer protection in East Sussex, over and above her professional role.

Over £100,000 Returned During Scam Mail Crackdown

More than 6,000 people have had money returned to them as a result of a new crackdown on prize draw mail scams.

Royal Mail and Trading Standards Launch New Joint Initiative to Tackle Scam Mail

Royal Mail and Trading Standards have joined forces to launch a new initiative to tackle scam mail in the postal system