Plain-English online-safety guidance
Feel safer and more confident online
Clear, practical guidance to help you recognise scams, protect your accounts and support the people you care about.
Plain English
Practical steps
No judgement
Start here
What has happened?
Choose the situation closest to yours. We will take you through the most important actions first.
Stay aware
Latest scam alerts
Current warnings and recurring tricks to look out for.
QR-code scams: pause before you scan
A QR code can hide the destination address, so treat an unexpected code like an unfamiliar link.
Read the alertAI voice scams: verify the person another way
A familiar-sounding voice should not be the only proof that a caller is really a relative or colleague.
Read the alertA relative is asking for money on WhatsApp
A message from a new number may pretend to be a child or grandchild who needs urgent help.
Read the alert
Learn
Build your online-safety confidence
Start with the everyday activity you want help with.
Messages and calls
Check unfamiliar emails, texts, messages and telephone calls.
Explore this topicPasswords and accounts
Protect important accounts and recover access when something changes.
Explore this topicBanking and shopping
Pay, shop and respond to money requests more safely.
Explore this topicDevices and privacy
Keep phones, tablets and computers updated and private.
Explore this topicSocial media and messaging
Use familiar apps with greater confidence and control.
Explore this topic
For families
Helping someone else?
Practical ways to talk about scams, agree family safeguards and support somebody after something has gone wrong.
Help an older relative stay safer online
Read the guidanceMake a family verification plan
Read the guidanceSupport someone after a scam
Read the guidance
Our standards
Guidance you can trust
Authoritative sources
Important advice is checked against current official guidance.
Clear review dates
You can see when guidance was last checked.
Visible corrections
We correct errors promptly and explain material changes.
No fear or judgement
Clear actions help people regain control without blame.