TL;DR
Your bank will never ask for your full PIN over the phone. This is a common scam. Hang up immediately and contact your bank directly using their official number (found on their website or statement).
What’s Happening?
Scammers are pretending to be from your bank, often claiming there’s fraud on your account or that they need to verify your details. They want your PIN so they can steal your money.
How to Protect Yourself: Step-by-Step Guide
- Recognise the Red Flags:
- Unexpected Call: You didn’t initiate the call.
- Urgency & Threats: They pressure you with a sense of urgency or threaten account closure.
- PIN Request: This is the biggest giveaway! Banks will never ask for your full PIN.
- Generic Greetings: “Dear Customer” instead of using your name.
- Request for Sensitive Information: They might also ask for passwords, security answers, or card details.
- Hang Up Immediately: Do not engage with the caller. The longer you stay on the line, the more information they can try to gather.
- Contact Your Bank Directly:
- Find your bank’s official phone number from their website (replace with your bank’s actual URL) or a recent statement. Do not use the number provided by the caller!
- Explain what happened to them. They can confirm if the call was legitimate and take steps to protect your account.
- Report the Scam:
- Action Fraud: Report the scam online at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk or call them on 0300 123 2040.
- Your Bank’s Fraud Department: They will also want to know about the scam attempt.
- Protect Your Account (If you gave information):
- Change your PIN immediately: If you suspect they got your PIN, change it right away at an ATM or through your bank’s app/online banking.
- Check your transactions: Look for any suspicious activity on your account statement and report anything unusual to your bank.
- Consider a new card: If you provided your card details, ask your bank about getting a replacement card.
Example Scenario
You receive a call claiming to be from Lloyds Bank. The caller says there’s been suspicious activity on your account and asks you to confirm your PIN to verify your identity. This is a scam! Hang up immediately and contact Lloyds Bank directly using the number on their website.
Important Reminders
- Banks have security measures in place that don’t require them to ask for your full PIN over the phone.
- Be wary of any unsolicited calls asking for personal or financial information.
- Never share one-time passcodes (sent via SMS) with anyone, even if they claim to be from your bank.