Course description

Scammers are skilled criminals, and anyone can be caught out. The good news is that a few simple habits make it much harder for them. This course shows you, in plain English and short steps, how to spot scams by phone, text, email, social media, post and at the door, how to make your phone, tablet and computer safer, and exactly what to do if something goes wrong.

It's a full course, not a quick leaflet. There are 10 sections and 50 written lessons. You follow a retired school secretary in Devon who keeps a notebook of every suspicious call and message for ten weeks, with help from her daughter, and her neighbour, who gets his money back after a fake bank call. Every section has a large-print worksheet, answers, a cheat sheet and cards to keep by the phone or the door.

What you'll learn

• Pause, Check, Tell: the tricks scammers use and three habits that protect you.
• Phone calls: fake caller numbers, bank and police impersonation, "computer support" calls, 159 and cutting down unwanted calls.
• Texts, messaging apps and emails: delivery and bill texts, "Hi Mum" messages, codes you should never share, checking links and websites, and reporting scams to 7726 and report@phishing.gov.uk.
• Money: banking online safely, how protected each way of paying is, getting money back, and investment and pension scams.
• Other scams: romance, prize, charity, post and doorstep scams, and new tricks such as cloned voices.
• Your devices: updates, screen locks, strong passwords, two-step verification, safe apps and backups.
• If it happens: the first hour, reporting in every part of the UK, getting support, and helping someone else without blame.

Who it's for

UK adults over 60 who use a phone, tablet or computer, even a little, and the family members, friends and carers who help them. No technical knowledge is needed. It ends with your own personal safety plan and a family plan.

What will I learn?

• Spot the tricks scammers use and build three simple habits: Pause, Check, Tell
• Handle unexpected calls safely, including bank and police impersonation, using 159 and a trusted number
• Recognise scam texts, family impersonation messages and requests for codes, and report them to 7726
• Check emails, links and websites before you trust them, and report scam emails
• Bank and pay online safely, and know how protected each way of paying is
• Recognise romance, prize, charity, investment and doorstep scams
• Make your phone, tablet, computer and accounts safer with updates, strong passwords and two-step verification
• Know exactly what to do, who to call and where to get support if a scam happens to you or someone you love

Frequently asked questions