Scam Awareness 2026 | How To Stay Protected From Common Scams

In the modern era, scams are becoming a common issue daily as they target people of all ages in various ways.

From phone calls and emails to postal letters and doorstep visits, scammers are all around us, but you don't have to live in fear!

It's important to keep yourself and your loved ones protected from potential scams. So, at Solent Mobility Centre, we've made a simple guide explaining the common scams people face and how to avoid being scammed in Hampshire.

We'll start with the basics.

What is a Scam?

Scams are set up to trick and manipulate people into giving away personal information, banking information, passwords, or even money!

They can affect people of all ages, genders, and nationalities, as scams can take place anywhere. With AI being used more frequently, some scams are becoming harder to spot.

The most common scams to look out for are:

• Phone/Cold Call Scams

• Mail Scams

• Email & Online Scams

• Doorstep Scams

Phone/Cold Call Scams

These are among the most common scams attempted daily.

Cold calls are phone calls made from a company or business person you've usually never spoken with before, most of the time to try to sell you something. Not all cold calls are scams, but you should always be wary when answering them.

Phone call scammers will usually pretend to be your bank, HMRC, or customer support from a company you've bought from. They will try to ask for your personal information, or even your banking details, to either steal your identity or money.

So, how do you avoid them?

Don't Answer: If you're not expecting a phone call from someone or a company, and you don't recognise the number -- don't pick up!

Say No: Legitimate companies will never ask for your personal details over the phone. If a person asks you for these details, say no.

Avoid Links: Scammers will also try to message you links that will redirect you to an insecure website that could steal your information. Never click on an untrusted link.

Mail & Postal Scams

These scams are sent by mail and are addressed to your name. The letters contain false claims or offers designed to con you out of your money.

Postal scams typically appear as prize draws, bills from companies you don't use, fake job offers, and even unclaimed inheritance. If you receive one of these letters, there are a few things you can do to avoid being scammed.

Reject Letters: If you receive a letter that you believe is suspicious or unwanted, ignore it and throw the letter away.

Verify Letters: If you have received a letter from a company, always check the details of the organisation. Don't use the information listed on a scam letter, as they won't be trusted.

Reduce Mailing: You can also reduce the number of direct mailing companies contacting you by registering with the Mailing Preference Service.

Email Scams

Similar to postal scams, scammers can try to contact you by sending malicious emails. These emails usually contain links or files that will try to steal your personal or financial information if you click or open them.

There are several kinds of email scams; the most common are phishing emails, prize draws, HMRC scams, and emails pretending to be someone else.

If you receive an email that seems like a scam, you should:

Ignore It: Do not open any attachments or links; just ignore the email and delete it. You can also report malicious emails to Action Fraud.

Think Twice: Always think twice before sharing your personal details via email. Don't feel pressured to share your personal or financial details.

Install Anti-Virus: To keep yourself and your devices extra secure, you should install a trusted anti-virus software. This will protect your devices from potential virus attacks.

Doorstep Scams

Doorstep scams are when people come to your door to try to scam you out of your money or attempt to gain access to your home.

These scammers will take the form of a door-to-door salesperson, a false trader, a charity collector, or even someone in distress. Doorstep scammers may act friendly and polite, but that doesn't mean you can trust them!

So, how do you stay safe? Remember Stop, Lock, Chain and Check:

Stop: Are you expecting anyone?

Lock: If you aren't, lock any other outer doors before answering the front door. Some scammers work together.

Chain: Put the door chain on, and check through the peephole to see who's at the door. Remember to take the chain off later if people with a key, such as a relative, cleaner, or carer needs to get into your home.

Check: Ask for their ID and examine it carefully. If you're unsure, call the company the person says they're from.

If you're being pressured or feel unsafe and threatened, call your friends, family or the police.

These are some other tips for staying safe and protected from doorstep scammers:

No Cold Callers: You can ask for a "No Cold Callers" sign from your local council, you can place this in your front door or in the window.

Say No: Never be embarrassed to say no or to ask someone to leave, your home is your property, and you can turn away unwanted visitors.

Don't Accept: Do not accept any deliveries or give away any of your money, belongings or information to suspicious people at your door.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

What to do if you've been scammed

If you've been scammed in any way, you must report it immediately. In an emergency where you or someone else is in danger, always call 999.

In non-emergency situations, you can speak to the police by calling 101, and they will help you through the incident.

If your money has been stolen, contact your bank straight away by calling either 159 or the number on the back of your bank card. They will be able to freeze or cancel your card so no more money is spent.

It's also important to talk about scams to your friends and family; the more people are aware, the less likely they are to fall for scams.