Scams jargon
Action Fraud: the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Adware: software that can add pop-ups or adverts to web browsing.
Antivirus software: software that protects your computer against viruses, malware and other attacks by cybercriminals.
Authorised push payment (APP): where the victim is tricked into paying a scammer via bank transfer.
Bitcoin: the most famous type of cryptocurrency.
Catfishing: luring someone into a relationship by pretending to be someone you're not online.
Chargeback: a voluntary scheme to help you get your money back if you paid on debit or credit card.
Claims management companies: intermediaries that can act on your behalf if you've been mis-sold a financial product, for a fee.
Clickbait: posts that are designed to encourage as many clicks and views as possible.
Cloud-based storage: where your photos, music, or other data are stored in a secure, off-site storage system that is manged by a third party.
Copycat websites: websites that imitate official government services, real companies or charities (aka 'clone firms' or 'spoof websites').
Cryptocurrency: a digital, or virtual, form of currency.
FCA register: an official register of firms regulated by the FCS. Also highlights potential clone firms.
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA): the government body that oversees financial regulation.
Financial Ombudsman Service: a free-to-consumer dispute resolution service for problems with financial companies.
Job scam: fraudsters targeting job seekers by asking them to pay upfront fees for their application, training or interview.
Identity theft: where a criminal uses your name and personal information to take out financial products.
Information Commissioner's Office: the UK authority responsible for data protection and private regulation.
Investment scam: fraudsters use a convincing investment pitch to get you to part with your money.
Land banking: where you buy a plot of land that you are told you will be able to sell for a large profit to a developer.
Malware: short for malicious software, such as viruses and ransomware, aka Trojan.
Password manager: software applications designed to store and manage online passwords, usually in an encrypted database.
Pensions regulator: the UK regulator of workplace pension schemes.
Phishing: fraudsters attempting to obtain passwords or other personal data via email, often by posing as a legitimate organisation.
Phone-paid Services Authority: investigates complaints about phone-paid services, such as premium-rate numbers.
Ponzi/pyramid schemes: fraudulent investment scams promising high rates of return with little risk to investors.
Ransomware: malware designed to block access to a computer system unless you pay to release it.
Remote-access software: software that allows you to access remotely and connect to another computer or device.
Romance scams: fraudsters who seek to gain money and personal information via online dating websites/apps.
Section 75: holds your credit card provider jointly responsible for problems with credit card purchases between £100-£30,000.
Smishing: phishing via SMS (mobile text message).
Spoofing: where scammers use software to make a display name or phone number appear to be that of a genuine organisation.
Two-factor authentication: an extra layer of protection for online accounts on top of a password, such as a code sent to your mobile phone or app.
Trading Standards: the official body responsible for investigating unfair business practices and illegal activity, such as scams.
UK Finance: the trade association representing the UK's financial organisations.
Unregulated investments: investments that are not regulated by the FCA. These are usually (though not always) scams.
Vishing: phishing via a phone call.
