New Bank Text Scam Hits 10,000
Published 19 April 2026
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. If you believe you have been targeted, contact your bank and local authorities immediately.
£2.5m lost in just 48 hours - that's the staggering amount UK bank customers have been scammed out of in the latest phishing scam to hit the country. What's even more alarming is the number of people affected: over 10,000.
How This Scam Works
Scammers send fake texts claiming to be from a bank, warning of suspicious activity on the customer's account. The texts instruct the customer to click on a link to verify their account, which then asks for sensitive information like passwords and credit card details. It's a clever trick - the link looks genuine, and the email or text appears to come from a legitimate bank email address.
Who Is Being Targeted
The scam seems to be targeting customers of all ages and backgrounds, but it's particularly prevalent among younger adults who are more likely to use online banking. The scam has been reported across various regions in the UK, with a high concentration in urban areas.
Who's behind these scams, and what's their endgame? Can they really get away with our money that easily?
Red Flags to Watch For
🚩 Unsolicited texts or emails asking for sensitive information 🚩 Links that don't look quite right, or have spelling mistakes 🚩 Threats of account closure or penalties if you don't act immediately 🚩 Requests for payment into an unknown account 🚩 Poor grammar or spelling in the message
What to Do If You've Been Hit
- Don't panic - act quickly to minimize the damage
- Contact your bank immediately to report the scam
- Change your passwords and security questions
- Monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity
- Report the scam to the relevant authorities
Where to Report
If you're in the UK, report the scam to Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/. If you're in Australia, visit https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam. For US citizens, head to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. International users can find their local reporting directory at /global-scam-reporting. What's next for these scammers, and how can you protect yourself? Check your messages and accounts regularly, and use a free scam checker like free scam checker to stay one step ahead.
Sources
Suspicious about a message you received?
Don't guess. Check it instantly with our free tool.
Check for Scam