How confident are you that you could spot a scam?
THIS quiz will put you to the test to identify whether adverts and emails are legitimate or fake.
It follows research which found Gen Z are most likely to be caught out by telephone scams while Boomers often fall for phishing emails and texts.
A poll of 2,000 adults revealed adults under 27 are also likely to be caught out by online shopping scams.
One in five (22 per cent) of Millennials have been tricked by general phishing scams – with emails, calls and texts all posing a threat.
It also emerged it’s Boomers and Gen X who believe they’ve never been a victim of a scam, while only 24 per cent of Gen Z have successfully kept out of the way of fraudsters.
The research was commissioned by Virgin Money, whose head of fraud, Gareth Pindred, said: “There’s never been a higher number of different types of scams circulating in the modern world than now, and scams are ever evolving as fraudsters try to capitalise on current events.
“People can get complacent with things like shopping online because they think they’re savvy enough to spot a scam, but that’s not always the case.
“Yet, it still can feel embarrassing to be caught out by a scam, despite them consistently being more sophisticated and becoming harder to spot.
“While the results vary between generations, the findings have shown lots of people get caught out, despite an increased amount of awareness of and education about scams.”
The research also found Millennials have been left most out of pocket by a scam – to the tune of an average of £150, with Gen Z close behind with £141.
Of all adults, identity theft struck fear into the hearts of 32 per cent, with 24 per cent worried about being caught out by fake emails and texts.
While 14 per cent fear those who impersonate friends and family asking for money.
However, 58 per cent feel confident they’d know who to report a case of fraud to, according to the OnePoll data.
Four in 10 have been contacted by someone pretending to be a bank or from a governmental department, with 82 per cent thinking online scams have become more sophisticated and harder to identify.
While 55 per cent have noticed more scam attempts in the last 12 months – with 74 per cent of the belief that almost every scam they see now is online.
Avoiding suspicious links, monitoring bank accounts and using strong, unique passwords were the top ways adults look to protect themselves.
But 31 per cent have felt ashamed about getting caught out by a scam due to the embarrassment of being caught out, the financial loss and fear of the judgement of the inability to spot something obvious.
Gareth Pindred, from Virgin Money, added: “You shouldn’t feel ashamed if you’re caught out by a scam – but there are ways to better protect yourself.
“And consumers should be able to rely on brands and companies to help protect them online.
“While the landscape of online fraud continues to shift, we take every step possible to help consumers feel safe and provide advice on how to stay protected.”
Money influencer Chloe Carmichael, 32, from Glasgow, was scammed on a trip to Rome earlier this year.
Despite researching common scams in the city beforehand, she was fleeced for 50 euros, leaving her feeling embarrassed and vulnerable for the rest of her trip.
She walked past a man painting watercolour scenes in the Italian capital, selling his works – and claimed to have painted them all himself.
Fooled by the legitimate-looking signage, it turned out the images were actually prints that were painted over with a cheap watercolour set to make it look as if he were creating them there and then.
Chloe said: “This shows just how easy it is to fall victim to scams no matter how financially or digitally savvy you are.
“I’m a money influencer so I’m very conscious of how I spend my money and very aware of scams, but this person seemed honest and unfortunately their deception worked on this occasion.
“I was apprehensive to post a video on my social media about the scam, but several people shared that it happened to them too.
“Others mentioned they’re grateful for the video and that they were aware of this scam before their next holiday, so I’m glad I shared my experience to help others avoid it happening to them.”
GARETH PINDRED, FRAUD EXPERT AT VIRGIN MONEY, SHARES ADVICE ON HOW NOT TO GET CAUGHT OUT BY A SCAM
Follow these tips to avoid being caught out
1. Never disclose security details, such as your PIN, full banking password or one-time passcode to anyone, even bank staff. A genuine bank or organisation will never ask you for these on the phone.
2. Don’t assume an email, text or phone call is authentic. Just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and address or even your mother’s maiden name), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Remember, criminals can also make any telephone number appear on your phone handset so even if you recognise it or it seems authentic, do not use it as verification they are genuine.
3. Don’t be rushed – a genuine organisation won’t mind waiting. Under no circumstances would a genuine bank or some other trusted organisation force you to make a financial transaction on the spot. Always remember: Stop. Think. Check
4. Listen to your instincts – you know if something doesn’t feel right. Criminals may lull you into a false sense of security when you are out and about or rely on your defences being down when you’re in the comfort of your own home.
5. Stay in control – don’t panic and make a decision you’ll regret. Have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for personal or financial information. It’s easy to feel embarrassed when faced with unexpected or complex conversations. But it’s okay to stop the discussion if you do not feel in control of it.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories