The Narrow Path of Hope Fraud Awareness Page.​
 

Note: If you have been a victim of fraud please call 0300 123 2040 straight away or visit https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/

If you have experienced fraud and need someone to talk to, Citizens Advice can help — visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk or call 0800 144 8848 (England) / 0800 702 2020 (Wales).

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Fraud is a serious crime. It can happen to anyone — and being targeted is never your fault.

This page exists because it nearly happened to us. Raymond, the founder of The Narrow Path of Hope, was almost the victim of a financial scam. That experience made it clear that good people, careful people, people who know better, can still be caught out. The tactics used by fraudsters are increasingly sophisticated, and they deliberately target people who are already under financial pressure.

If you are facing financial difficulty, you are at higher risk. Please read this page carefully.

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SECTION 1: Common Types of Financial Fraud

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Phishing

Fake emails, texts, or phone calls pretending to be from your bank, HMRC, a utility company, or another trusted organisation. They try to get you to hand over personal details, passwords, or money.

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Investment Scams

Promises of high returns, cryptocurrency opportunities, or "exclusive" investment schemes. If the returns sound too good to be true, they almost certainly are.

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Romance Scams

Fraudsters create fake relationships — online or by phone — to build trust over weeks or months, then ask for money. They often claim to be abroad and unable to access funds themselves.

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Doorstep Fraud

Uninvited callers claiming to be from a utility company, the council, or a contractor. They may ask to inspect your meter, offer a service, or request payment.

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Benefit Fraud Scams

Fake contacts claiming to be from the DWP, HMRC, or another government body. They may demand payment, threaten arrest, or ask for personal details to "process a benefit".

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IVA and Debt Solution Scams

Companies posing as debt advisers, offering an IVA or other debt solution and asking for an upfront fee. This is illegal. Legitimate IVA providers and debt charities do not charge upfront fees. See our dedicated warning below.

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Advance Fee Fraud

You are told you have won something, inherited money, or are eligible for a payment — but first you must pay a small fee to release it. There is no money. Once you pay, they disappear.

 

Identity Theft

Fraudsters collect enough of your personal information — name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number — to open accounts or take out credit in your name.

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SECTION 2: How to Spot Fraud

Watch out for these warning signs:

• You receive an unexpected call, text, or email out of the blue

• You are told to act quickly or keep the contact secret

• You are asked for personal details, passwords, bank account numbers, or one-time codes

• The offer sounds too good to be true — unusually high returns, free money, guaranteed results

• Someone claiming to be from HMRC, your bank, or a government body asks you to make a payment by gift card, bank transfer, or cryptocurrency

• The caller or sender becomes aggressive or threatening if you hesitate

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SECTION 3: How to Protect Yourself

These steps can significantly reduce your risk:

• Never share your PIN, password, or one-time codes — not with anyone, including someone claiming to be from your bank

• Verify unexpected calls by hanging up and calling the organisation back on the number printed on their official website or on the back of your bank card

• Register with the Telephone Preference Service to reduce unsolicited marketing calls:https://www.tpsonline.org.uk

• Check a company is legitimate before handing over money or personal details — search Companies House: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk

• Check any financial firm on the FCA register before engaging: https://register.fca.org.uk

• Do not click links in unsolicited texts or emails — go directly to the organisation's website by typing the address yourself

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SECTION 4: If You Have Been Targeted or Were Nearly a Victim

Do not be ashamed. Report it — reporting protects others.

Steps to take:

1. Report to Action Fraud — the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.https://www.actionfraud.police.uk 
   or Phone: 0300 123 2040

2. Contact your bank immediately if any money has moved from your account. Most banks have a dedicated fraud line available
   24 hours a day.

3. Report scam texts to 7726 (free, works on most networks). Your report helps mobile providers block scam numbers.

4. Report scam emails to: report@phishing.gov.uk

5. Check your credit file for any accounts you do not recognise: https://www.checkmyfile.com (or Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion directly)

6. If it involved an FCA-regulated firm, report it to the Financial Conduct Authority:https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/report-scam-unauthorised-firm

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SECTION 5: IVA Scams — A Special Warning

If you are in debt and have been looking into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), please read this carefully.

Some unscrupulous companies pose as debt advisers and charge upfront fees to set up an IVA. Charging an upfront fee for an IVA is illegal under UK law. Legitimate IVA providers and reputable debt charities — such as StepChange and National Debtline — do not charge upfront fees.

Before agreeing to any debt solution:

• Verify the company on the FCA register: https://register.fca.org.uk

• Check they are a licensed Insolvency Practitioner (required by law for IVAs)

• Contact StepChange (https://www.stepchange.org) or National Debtline (https://www.nationaldebtline.org) for free, regulated advice first

If someone has already charged you an upfront fee for an IVA, report it to Action Fraud and to the FCA immediately.

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SECTION 6: Useful Links

• Action Fraud — Report fraud and cybercrime in the UK. https://www.actionfraud.police.uk

• Citizens Advice — Scams — Free advice on what to do if you have been scammed.https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/scams/

• Which? Scam Alerts — Up-to-date information on current scams and how to report them.https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-report-a-scam-ajUMQ3v58dN4

• National Cyber Security Centre — Guidance on phishing and online scams.https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams

• FCA ScamSmart — The Financial Conduct Authority's tool for checking investment and financial scams. https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart

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Need someone to talk to?

If you have experienced fraud and need someone to talk to, Citizens Advice can help — visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk or call 0800 144 8848 (England) / 0800 702 2020 (Wales).

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NPH Disclaimer.

The resources on this page are provided for information only. We are not financial advisers. If you need personalised advice, please contact one of the organisations listed above — all of them offer regulated guidance.