Your guide to spotting scams and staying secure

At Vernon Building Society, your safety matters to us. With fraudsters using increasingly clever tactics to steal information and money, staying alert and informed is more important than ever. Read our guide below to help you spot fraud before it happens. 

Common Types of Fraud 

Fraud can come in many different forms, but some of the most common methods include ‘phishing’ emails and texts, which look like they’re from legitimate organisations and aim to get you to click a link or share personal information. Phone call scams (also known as 'vishing') are also common and operate in a similar way, with fraudsters pretending to be from an organisations or business like your bank, asking you to transfer money or give sensitive details.

Online scams are increasingly common, ranging from fake investment opportunities to fraudulent online purchases designed to steal your money. Identity theft is also a risk, where criminals use stolen personal details to open accounts or apply for credit in your name. Another growing threat is Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, where you’re tricked into sending money to a fraudster, believing the payment is legitimate.

It's important to know how to spot fraud and how you can protect yourself against it.

How the Vernon Protects You 

We are committed to protecting our Members from fraud by closely monitoring accounts and business activity for anything unusual, providing ongoing staff training to quickly and effectively detect and stop fraud attempts, and supporting our Members with guidance to help identify potential warning signs.

How You Can Stay Safe 

There are simple but effective steps you can take to protect yourself from fraud. One important way is by never sharing personal details like your PIN number or passwords, no matter who asks. Take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information.

You should also be cautious with messages and calls, especially if someone is asking you to act urgently. It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you. If you’re ever unsure you’re talking to us over the phone, you can always hang up and give us a call on 0161 429 6262.

You should also check your accounts often, reporting any suspicious activity. It is also important that you know what to look for, so why not test yourself with Take Five’s anti-fraud quiz and see how scam-savvy you are? 

Spotting a Scam – Red Flags to Watch out For 

Scams often follow similar patterns, and it is important that you look out for warning signs frequently. These can include: 

• A message or caller that urges you to act immediately, or someone telling you that your money is in danger and needs to be moved to a different location.
• Requests to download apps or click unknown links.  
• Poor spelling or formatting and contacts from suspicious email addresses.

What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed 

If something doesn’t feel right, please get in touch. The sooner we know, the sooner we can act and offer you our support - our team is always here to help. Also, you should report it to Action Fraud. 

Fraudsters rely on distraction, panic, and secrecy. But with vigilance, good habits, and the right support, we can stay one step ahead. Take a moment to try the Take Five quiz and share it with family and friends - it’s a quick, helpful way to stay scam-smart.