Fraud losses in the UK have risen to £1.28 billion in a single year, according to recent UK Finance figures. The data indicates that 66% of these attacks originated online.
Scams that rely on directly tricking individuals, rather than hacking systems, are now the fastest-growing category of fraud. Criminals are reportedly finding it easier to deceive people than to bypass security software.
Phishing, where criminals impersonate trusted entities like banks or delivery companies to obtain personal information or induce clicks on suspicious links, is a common tactic. These attempts often use a sense of urgency and can come via email, text message, or phone call.
The National Cyber Security Centre’s 2025 annual review noted that the public reported over 10.9 million suspicious emails and texts in one year, highlighting the routine nature of these attempts.
Phishing can lead to identity theft, with scammers using stolen details like login information or National Insurance numbers to open credit, drain savings, or sell data to other criminals.