Scam awareness
Becoming aware of scams and how to avoid them
Our digital lives are interconnected, so if you fall victim to a scam, your digital accounts and online data may become compromised. Scammers like to prompt us to act by playing on emotions, such as fear and desire, usually to encourage us to share information or send them money. They also tend to impersonate trusted brands and organisations to appear even more convincing.
Always take time to verify who's contacted you before you take any action.
Being aware of scams is one the best ways to prevent yourself from becoming a victim and to help others to stay safe and secure, too.
You trust us with more than your health. At Bupa, we're committed to protecting your identity and any personal information you share with us. We safeguard your personal information with round-the-clock security and are continuously strengthening our systems so you can feel confident when using our products and services.
Are you aware of a scam where Bupa is being impersonated?
Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
To report a scam in the UK, contact Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040. Lines are available Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. If you've received a scam call or text but haven't lost any money, you can report the number to 7726.
For scam emails or websites, report them to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The National Cyber Security Centre handles reports of scam emails and websites.
Scam watch
Here are some of the most common scams to be aware of:
Threat and penalty scams
- Someone contacts you claiming to be from Bupa, the police, or HMRC
- They let you know about overdue or unpaid bills, fines, or taxes that you need to pay
- They threaten you with fines and/or court if these aren't paid.
False invoice or email compromised scams
- You receive an invoice from a company you've bought something from in the past, but your account details are new
- They tell you that they haven't received your payment and provide you with a new invoice to pay.
Information technology and remote access scams
- You get an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from a health insurance company, IT Helpdesk, bank, or telecommunications company.
- They ask you to install a programme or read a code which a scammer could use to access and control your device remotely, often without you realising.
Unexpected money scams
- You receive letters, emails, texts or calls about a lottery win or inheritance.
- These include instructions to make a payment to release the money you're due.
