Monthly scam alert · October 2026
The scams going round this month
Five scams going round the UK this month, each one reported by an official body or a consumer group in the last few weeks. The first one landed in our own inbox, so we can show you exactly how it gave itself away. Have a read, then pass it on to anyone who'd find it useful.
Seen one of these? Stop and check.
Scam 1
A fake 'copyright infringement' notice from 'Meta'
We got this one ourselves on 13 October. An email headed 'Notice of Copyright Infringement' with an official-looking decision number says a report has been made against your account, asks you to prove you're allowed to use the content, and warns that your account may be suspended if you don't respond in time. It's signed 'The Meta Business Team'. The button marked 'Request a Review' goes to a shortened link, and that link lands on a throwaway web address where a copy of the Facebook sign-in page is waiting for your password.
The giveaway: Look at who sent it. Ours came from an address at a school's web domain, and Meta says its emails only ever come from its own domains, such as facebook.com or facebookmail.com. A shortened link is the second clue: real Meta notices don't need one.
What to do: Never sign in from a link in an email. Open Facebook or Business Suite yourself and look for the notice there, because a genuine one will be waiting for you. Forward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk and to phish@fb.com, then delete it. If you did sign in, change your password and check your account for anyone you don't recognise.
Our guide: Is this email a scam? Spot phishing and report it
Source: The Takeback inbox, 13 October 2026
Scam 2
The 'hi mum' text
A text arrives that reads as though it's from your son or daughter, saying they're in trouble and that this is their new number. One version Which? reported says the sender is 'very upset right now' and passes you a WhatsApp number to carry on the conversation. Once you're talking, they ask for money, usually something urgent and not too large.
The giveaway: It's a new number, and it's a crisis. Both at once is the whole trick, because panic stops you checking.
What to do: Ring your child on the number you already have for them. If you can't reach them, ring someone else who can. Don't send money on the strength of a message, however convincing. Forward the text to 7726, which is free.
Our guide: How to report a scam in the UK: who to tell, and how
Source: Which? scam alerts, 13 October 2026
Scam 3
'Apple' says your iPhone has 179 viruses
A pop-up appears while you're browsing, claiming to be from Apple and saying 179 viruses have been found in your iPhone's storage. There's a button to tap to clean it up. Which? says tapping it will most likely install something unpleasant instead. These pop-ups usually turn up after you've tapped a dodgy link, not out of nowhere.
The giveaway: Apple doesn't scan your phone for viruses and wouldn't tell you through a web page. A precise-sounding number like 179 is there to make it feel real.
What to do: Don't tap anything in the pop-up, including any X or Close button inside it. Close the whole browser tab, or close the browser. Your iPhone doesn't need an antivirus app, and the ones advertised this way are the problem rather than the fix.
Our guide: Which antivirus do you actually need? An honest UK guide
Source: Which? scam alerts, 12 October 2026
Scam 4
A speeding fine by text
A text from an ordinary-looking mobile number says a speed camera caught you speeding and that you need to respond quickly. The link goes to a copy of a government website, built to collect your personal details and card number. Which? reported this one at the end of September.
The giveaway: A real speeding notice is posted to the vehicle's registered keeper, not texted from a mobile number. Anything that tells you to hurry is telling you something about itself.
What to do: Don't tap the link. If you're genuinely unsure whether you've been caught, wait for the post or check with the police force for the area using a number you look up yourself. Forward the text to 7726.
Our guide: Is this website legit? How to spot a scam website
Source: Which? scam alerts, 30 September 2026
Scam 5
'Apply now for your Winter Fuel Payment'
Texts, emails and phone calls claiming to be from a government department tell people they need to apply for their Winter Fuel Payment, and ask for bank account details so it can be paid. Trading Standards officers at Staffordshire County Council warned about this at the end of September, as the weather turned and energy bills came back into the news.
The giveaway: Most eligible people get it automatically, and gov.uk says a letter arrives in October or November. A few people do need to claim, so check on gov.uk by typing the address yourself, never from a message.
What to do: Ignore the message and don't click the link. To check what you're entitled to, type gov.uk into your browser and search for Winter Fuel Payment there. Forward scam texts to 7726 and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Our guide: Is this email a scam? Spot phishing and report it
Source: Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards, 30 September 2026
Three rules that beat most scams
- Open the app or the website yourself. A real notice will be waiting for you there, and a fake one won't.
- If a message about money comes with a deadline, treat the deadline as the warning sign.
- Check with the person, not with the message. Ring the number you already have for them, never the one you've just been sent.
Earlier alerts
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