One in three adults would be uncomfortable telling friends they’ve been scammed

• Sam from Belfast was scammed out of £6,000 and encourages people to report it and speak up.
• She said, “I did everything you shouldn’t do – I gave him codes he asked for and even thanked him, as he warned me of fraudulent activity on my account.
• Visit MoneyHelper.org.ukOpens in a new window for guidance and support if you’ve been affected by a scam.

In the run-up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the Money and Pensions Service is urging people not to stay quiet on scams, as new research finds one in three UK adults (31%) would be uncomfortable telling their friends they’ve been scammed. 

Additionally, less than half of people (46%) would be comfortable telling their families if they had lost money to a scam.  

People were concerned that speaking up would make them feel embarrassed, stupid, or foolish. They also feared being judged and didn’t want to worry others. 

51-year-old Sam from Belfast urges people to speak out if they’ve been in a similar position, after she was scammed out of £6,000 when a fraudster impersonated her bank. She says:

“I did everything you shouldn’t do – I gave him codes he asked for and even thanked him, as he warned me of fraudulent activity on my account.

“I thought falling for a scam was something that only happened to older or more vulnerable people. I’m very good with money and check my bank every day.”

“When I realised what had happened, I felt so ashamed, I was mortified.

“I got help from the police and Victim Support and told close colleagues and friends. I would urge other people affected by scams to tell someone they trust, report it, and get support from MoneyHelper.”

MaPS is encouraging people who have been affected by scams to talk to an expert at MoneyHelper for free, non-judgemental, confidential support.

MoneyHelper can help by understanding the situation, warning about the risks of secondary scamming, and providing a route to recovery.  

Make sure you report the scam to Action Fraud if you live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, or to Police Scotland if you live in Scotland.

Charlotte Jackson, Head of Guidance Services at the Money and Pensions Service says: 

“If you're planning on shopping for online deals, be vigilant around scams. Don’t rush into purchases and only shop from trusted retailers. 

“If you believe you have lost money to a scam, there’s no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed. You are the victim of a crime, and you are not to blame.

“The first step is to report the scam. It can also be helpful to talk to someone you trust or contact MoneyHelper for free and confidential support.”

Visit the MoneyHelper website for more information about scams and how to protect yourself.

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Chay, 24, from Stockport, fell victim to a scam when she applied for a job through what seemed to be a reputable jobsite. 

“I was sold the dream job, working from home for a couple of hours a day, and good money.” 

Chay was told she had to invest money into the company, and was promised that if she did, she would receive her money back plus profit. After her first day, she earnt £100 but could only withdraw half.

Her investments gradually increased to thousands of pounds and her money was then stuck, in total losing her around £6000.

“I felt so silly,” she says. “I couldn’t believe that someone could do something like this. I was disgusted, this person had taken all my money.”

Fortunately, Chay had people around her she could turn to. She told her boyfriend who told her to report the scam to Action Fraud. Action Fraud suggested Chay ring MoneyHelper for further support.

“I’d rather this happen to me than someone vulnerable, who has nobody they can talk to. That would be so scary.”

“I thought I was pretty clued-up recognising scams, but this was so sophisticated and well planned out. Looking back, alarm bells should have rung, but I’ve had to learn the hard way.”

• The research took place between 9-17th September 2025 and was conducted using a mixture of several online research panels. This means the interview was a self-completion exercise making it easier for people to answer honestly about personal finances. 
• This full survey was conducted among a sample of 2,427 UK adults (18+) and includes boosts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure a representative sample with sufficient interviews to report findings for each nation. 
• Results have been weighted to be representative of the UK adult population on age, gender, region, working status and social grade. 

To report fraud in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, please contact Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040. 

Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber-crime where you can report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber-crime. 

To report fraud in Scotland, please contact Police Scotland by calling 101.