Scam warning this Bank Holiday: how to protect yourself if someone calls pretending to be from thinkmoney

Why scams often increase over Bank Holiday weekends

Bank Holidays create the perfect conditions for fraudsters.

People are busy, routines are disrupted, and there can be a perception that help is harder to reach. Scammers exploit that uncertainty and try to create a sense that you need to act immediately before it is too late.

The biggest red flag: pressure to act immediately

One of the most reliable signs of a scam is urgency.

Scammers often say things like:

• "Your account has been compromised"

• "You need to move your money to keep it safe"

• "Do this now or you could lose everything"

• "Stay on the phone while we fix it"

thinkmoney will never rush you into decisions or pressure you to act immediately.

If you feel pushed or frightened into doing something quickly, that is your cue to slow down.

The safest thing to do if you get a suspicious call

You are always allowed to end the conversation. In fact, it is one of the strongest ways to protect yourself.

If someone claims to be from thinkmoney:

• Hang up immediately

• Wait a few minutes (or use a different phone if possible)

• Call thinkmoney back using the number on your card or official website

This simple step breaks the scam.

Criminals rely on keeping you on the line and controlling the situation. Once you disconnect and call back independently, their advantage disappears.

thinkmoney will never ask you to do these things

This is one of the most important lists to remember.

thinkmoney will never ask you to:

• Move your money to a "safe account"

• Share your PIN, passcode or full password

• Download software so someone can access your device

• Stay on the phone while making payments

• Lie to staff about why you are moving money

If you hear any of these requests, treat it as a scam and end the call immediately.

Why these scams feel so convincing

Fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated, and many people are caught out because the call sounds genuine.

Scammers can:

• Make their phone number look like it belongs to thinkmoney

• Use personal details to build trust

• Sound calm, professional and knowledgeable

• Keep you talking long enough to create panic

That is why the safest protection is not recognising the number, it is recognising the behaviour.

What to do if you think you have been targeted

Even if you did not lose money, reporting the attempt helps to protect others.

You should:

• Contact thinkmoney

• Report the incident to Action Fraud

• Tell a trusted friend or family member if you feel shaken or unsure

If you have already sent money, act quickly

Time matters more than anything else in this situation. There is absolutely no shame

Contact thinkmoney straight away. In some cases, transactions can be stopped or traced if the bank is alerted quickly enough, although faster payments are harder to stop, which is why scammers favour them.

If you have fallen victim to a scam, there is no shame in it

If you have been caught out by a scam, you are not alone, and you are certainly not foolish. These criminals are highly sophisticated, well-practised and very convincing. We speak to customers every day who have been targeted, and many of them are careful, sensible people who simply got caught at the wrong moment.

What matters most is acting quickly. The sooner you report it, the sooner we can step in to secure your account, trace payments and work to put things right. Even if you are unsure whether it was a scam, it is always better to tell us straight away.