Hosting family this May Day Bank Holiday? Here’s how to help older relatives stay scam safe

The May Day bank holiday is one of those rare long weekends when families come together. Somewhere between the garden catch‑ups, extra cups of tea and maybe a hopeful BBQ if the weather behaves, there is also a good chance to check in on the people we care about.

While scams can affect anyone, older relatives are often targeted more often. Not because they are less capable, but because scammers see them as more likely to answer the phone, trust a convincing voice, or feel pressured to act quickly. They are also less likely to come across social media warnings about the latest scams doing the rounds.

Many scams work not because people are careless, but because they are kind, helpful, and trying to do the right thing. Sometimes they are simply busy or distracted and keen to get things sorted. So if you are spending time together this May Day bank holiday, it can be a gentle opportunity to start a conversation that could make a real difference to relatives who might appreciate a quick refresher.

The scams older relatives are most likely to encounter

Impersonation phone calls

These are often the most distressing. A caller or texter claims to be from the bank, the police, or even a family member in trouble. The aim is to create urgency and panic so the person acts before thinking.

Delivery and payment scams

Text messages or emails asking for small payments to release a parcel or fix a problem with an account.

Investment and savings scams

These can look very professional, promising high returns or safe opportunities. They often target people with savings who want to make their money work harder.

Romance and friendship scams

These build trust over time and can be emotionally as well as financially damaging. They can start innocently - a DM from a Facebook group about ‘Race Across The World’ where the profile looks completely legit through to fake profiles on dating apps.

How to start the conversation without making it awkward

This is often the hardest part. Nobody wants to feel lectured, and many older relatives are fiercely independent and hate to think they could be vulnerable, but the fact is we can all be tricked.

A softer approach usually works best. You might say something like:

• “I saw a story about a scam the other day - have you had anything like that?”
• “These messages are getting really convincing now. I nearly clicked one myself.”
• “If you ever get something that doesn’t feel right, you can always run it past me.”

The goal isn’t to scare anyone. It’s to highlight how sophisticated scammers are getting and make it clear they’re not alone.

Simple things that can make a big difference

You don’t need to overhaul anyone’s finances or technology setup. A few small steps can reduce risk significantly.

Encourage a pause before acting

Scammers rely on urgency. Taking a moment to stop and think is often enough to break the spell.

Do a quick search - or ask a family member to

If you’re unsure if the situation is genuine, a quick Google search of the phrasing or the associated number can quickly clue you in.

If it’s someone getting in touch with a ‘new contact number’ a quick message to the old one will validate this very quickly

Set up alerts on bank accounts

Transaction notifications can help spot unusual activity quickly, so you can shut down anything sinister. Your bank is there to help you and would always prefer to receive a quick call or live chat than leaving you worrying.

Act quickly if you make a mistake

If you have done something in haste and are now having reservations, contact your bank straight away so they can help. They will get thousands of calls like this, and they are there to help you – there’s never a need to be embarrassed.

Even if a long time has passed, there still might be something they can do so letting them know is always encouraged.

Agree on a family safety rule

For example: never transfer money or share details without checking with someone you trust first.

The most important protection isn’t technology. It’s conversation.

When people know they can ask for help without feeling embarrassed, scams become much harder to pull off.

So if you’re spending time together this May Day bank holiday, it might be the perfect moment for a quick chat that helps keep everyone safer.

Not dramatic. Not scary. Just sensible.

And that’s often all it takes.

A quick reminder: your bank will never ask you for sensitive details

One of the most common tricks scammers use is pretending to be your bank. They sound professional, they know the right language to use, and they often create a situation that seems like you need to act in a hurry - saying there’s been suspicious activity or that your account needs immediate attention.

But there’s one very important rule to remember.

Your bank will never ask you for your full PIN, password, or secure login details. Not by phone, not by text, not by email, and not on social media.

They also won’t ask you to:

• Move money to a “safe account”
• Share one-time passcodes or security codes
• Give remote access to your device
• Hand over your card to a courier

If anyone asks you to do any of those things, it’s almost certainly a scam.

How to tell if a message or call is genuine

Scammers are getting better at copying the look and tone of legitimate organisations, so it’s not always obvious at first glance. The key is to slow things down and check independently.

Here are a few simple ways to do that.

Contact the organisation using trusted details

If you receive a call, email, or message that worries you, don’t reply directly. Instead, use the phone number on the back of your bank card, their official website, or a statement you already have.

Be cautious of urgency

Messages that push you to act quickly are a classic warning sign. Genuine organisations understand that customers need time to check things properly.

Look closely at links and email addresses

Even small differences can signal a fake. A single extra letter, number, or unusual domain can be enough.

Remember: it’s always okay to hang up

If you’re unsure, end the call and check independently. A legitimate bank or company will never mind you taking that extra step.