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Fraud prevention guide

Keep your money safe with our essential fraud prevention tips

Stay alert, stay safe

We tend to think of fraud as something that happens to other people. In reality, anyone can be a target, so it's important to stay alert. 

There are lots of things we do to protect you, but learning about common scams and the tactics criminals use can help you spot when something's not right. 


Remember, we'll never ask you to:

  • tell us your card’s 4-digit PIN
  • share your online banking password or Secure Key code
  • transfer money anywhere, including to a 'safe' account
  • send us your card, cheque book or cash

Stop, challenge, protect

If you're contacted out of the blue by phone, email or text:

  • stop - taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
  • challenge - could it be fake? It's ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
  • protect - check with someone you trust, such as a friend or family member and contact the company directly.

If you think you've been targeted

Call us straight away on 03457 404 404, or +44 1226 261 010 if you're outside the UK.

If you're a Premier customer, you can call us on: 03457 707 070.

You can also forward any suspicious emails or texts to us at phishing@hsbc.com.

Scams Leaflet

Download our fraud and scams leaflet for more information on staying protected. You'll find tips on creating a secure password, details of different types of scams and ways to stay safe online.

Learn about fraud and scams

 

New scams emerge all the time. Stay in the loop with our frequently updated list.

 

Don't get caught out by a scam. Find out how to spot them and what you can do to avoid them.

 

Find out how criminals typically get in touch, and what you should do if you're targeted.

You might also be interested in

 

What's the difference between fraud and a scam?

 

If you've received a text and you're not sure if it's genuine, check out our examples of real and fake messages.

 

Read the story of how one HSBC customer fell victim to cryptocurrency investment fraud.

 

Tips to help you keep your money safe.

It's easy to answer your query online. Visit our Help page to find out how.