The most convincing scams of 2026 so far - Which?

Which? highlights the most convincing scams of 2026, drawing on nearly a decade of investigative work and UK fraud data that shows £1,17 mil millones lost in 2024. Among the year’s top threats are fake digital wallets, where criminals connect card details to a mobile wallet on their device and spend until a limit is reached. Banks report losses of between £2 million and £6 million annually from this scam, a figure that could translate into higher costs for customers. Security flaws in SMS-based OTPs during wallet setup remain a weakness, prompting calls for stronger verification options. Which? also reports impersonation attempts against its own brand, with accounts mimicking logos and handles to confuse users. Practical guidance includes scepticism about payment requests, verifying site addresses, avoiding unsolicited links, and activating real-time spending alerts. If there is suspicion of compromise, you should contact your bank immediately and report suspected scams to the proper authorities. The piece notes ongoing threats like impersonation of Which? on social media and emphasizes vigilance to avoid becoming a statistic. A version of this article appeared originally in Which? Tech Magazine, Jun/Jul 2026, and its findings underscore the scale of consumer risk amid rapid technology adoption.