Barclays customers are at risk of having their bank accounts emptied by fraudsters. The scams data shows investment scams accounted for 47p in every £1 claimed by victims this year.
They have stated that half of UK adults have been targeted by a scam in 2025, rising to two thirds of Gen Z (64 per cent).
Seventy fice per cent per cent of customers said they believe AI has made online scams more convincing, I discuss the threat of AI in greater length here.
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Barclays Fraud and Scams Expert Kirsty Adams, says:
“Once again, scammers adopted new tactics in 2025, and as a result we saw a shift in the nature of scams reported by our customers.
“While fraudsters targeted victims with higher-stakes opportunities, we witnessed the resurgence of scams coming via text message, as confidence in online channels has declined.
“There’s no doubt that scammers will attempt to take advantage of shoppers during the festive sales, so we’re urging people to remain vigilant.”
“Looking ahead to 2026, we’re hopeful we will see continued progress in the fight against fraud, in the form of cross-industry collaboration.”
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Barclays say bank staff will never ask you for your debit card PIN, your password, or your complete online banking login details. Requests along these lines should be seen as a red flag.
Also see: Natwest Phishing Scam
If you are in doubt about a company that has contacted you by phone, it is always worth double checking their contact details. Check official websites and call the listed number directly yourself.
It is always better to be safe than sorry and if you have doubts follow the advice given and don’t be pressured into giving information. These lowlife criminals don’t just ring you up anymore they contact you by email and send social media requests too.
