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Finance · Personal finance

Scam-Proof Your Finances: A Practical Guide to Staying Safe

Learn to spot, avoid, and recover from financial scams in everyday life. This course covers common fraud tactics, digital safety, and how to protect your money and identity.

360 min8 modulesBeginner friendly
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Free to take. This course does not use any Learning Credits.

What you’ll be able to do

By the end of this course, you will be able to identify at least five common scam types, apply practical steps to protect your personal and financial information, and know the correct actions to take if you or someone you know falls victim to a scam.

Course outline

A clear route from first principles to practical confidence

  1. 01

    Module 1: Understanding the Scam Landscape

    • What is a financial scam? Types and real-world examples
    • Why scammers succeed: the psychology of deception
    • Who is at risk? Common vulnerabilities and how to reduce them
    • The cost of scams: financial, emotional, and social impact
  2. 02

    Module 2: Spotting the Red Flags

    • Urgency, pressure, and secrecy: classic scam triggers
    • Unsolicited contact: emails, texts, calls, and doorstep callers
    • Too good to be true: prize draws, investments, and job offers
    • Requests for personal or financial information: what to watch for
  3. 03

    Module 3: Phone and Text Scams

    • Vishing: fake calls from banks, HMRC, and tech support
    • Smishing: dangerous links in text messages
    • Callback scams and premium-rate numbers
    • How to verify a caller and when to hang up
  4. 04

    Module 4: Online and Email Scams

    • Phishing emails: how to spot fake messages and links
    • Fake websites and online shopping traps
    • Social media scams: romance, impersonation, and fake profiles
    • Safe browsing habits and using secure payment methods
  5. 05

    Module 5: Investment and Pension Scams

    • Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes, and 'guaranteed returns'
    • Pension liberation and early access scams
    • Crypto and forex scams: what you need to know
    • How to check if an investment firm is legitimate
  6. 06

    Module 6: Identity Theft and Account Security

    • How identity thieves get your data: phishing, data breaches, and dumpster diving
    • Strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and password managers
    • Monitoring your bank accounts and credit reports
    • What to do if your identity is stolen: reporting and recovery steps
  7. 07

    Module 7: Scams Targeting Older Adults and Vulnerable People

    • Common scams targeting older people: courier, rogue traders, and lottery
    • How to talk to a loved one about scam risks
    • Power of attorney and protecting someone else's finances
    • Resources and organisations that offer help
  8. 08

    Module 8: What to Do If You've Been Scammed

    • First steps: freezing accounts, changing passwords, and contacting your bank
    • Reporting scams to Action Fraud, the police, and other bodies
    • Getting emotional and practical support after a scam
    • How to help prevent scams in your community