February might be the shortest month of the year, but fraudsters aren’t slowing down.
From romance scams taking a darker turn to AI-powered phone fraud and social media “job” offers targeting teenagers, criminals are becoming more sophisticated and more brazen.
Here are the key scams to watch out for this month.
Romance fraud with a twist
Valentines day might be over, but the scammers aren’t going anywhere. Most people think of romance fraud as someone being conned out of savings by a fake partner met online. But the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) has warned of a disturbing variation. In this version, the scammer doesn’t ask for money.
They ask for your identity.
Victims are persuaded to:
- Say they witnessed a car accident
- Claim they were a passenger in a staged crash
- Take out an insurance policy and submit a bogus claim.
Often, they’re given a script. They may simply be told to confirm details over the phone to an insurer. But make no mistake — this is fraud. Last year, a man who manipulated women into taking part in staged crashes was jailed at Bournemouth Crown Court.
If someone you’ve met online asks you to take part in anything illegal, the IFB offers a confidential CheatLine.
Martin Lewis scam warnings resurface
Martin Lewis has issued fresh warnings after fraudsters were caught cold-calling people and falsely claiming he had endorsed renewable energy grants.
This isn’t new. Scammers regularly misuse his name and image in their attempts to con people.
A simple rule applies: Martin Lewis does not endorse products. Ever.
If you receive:
- A cold call referencing his name
- An advert using his face to promote investments
- A message promising guaranteed returns
Treat it as fraudulent.
If you’ve already engaged, contact your bank immediately or report it to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud). If you’re in Scotland, you can report via or Police Scotland.
Tube “smishing” scam: fake parcel texts on the Underground
A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud after targeting Tube passengers with fake parcel delivery texts.
The gang used homemade “SMS blasters” hidden inside suitcases. These devices mimicked legitimate mobile towers, forcing nearby phones to receive fraudulent messages — often pretending to be from delivery firms such as Evri.
The goal? To trick people into clicking links and handing over bank details.
This type of scam — known as smishing — remains widespread.
Remember:
- Delivery firms won’t randomly text you about unpaid fees if you haven’t ordered anything
- Don’t click links in unexpected parcel messages
- Go directly to the company’s official website instead.
AI voice cloning and direct debit fraud
National Trading Standards has warned of organised criminals using AI to clone victims’ voices.
It often starts with a harmless sounding “lifestyle survey” call. Fraudsters gather personal details, record your voice, then use AI to generate fake audio that simulates consent to set up direct debits. Once payments are set up, victims may not notice until money has already gone.
Protect yourself by:
- Being cautious about answering unknown numbers
- Never giving personal or financial details to cold callers
- Checking bank statements regularly
- Cancelling unexpected direct debits immediately via your bank.
If something feels off, it probably is.
Social media “job” scams targeting under-18s
Some police forces have warned about social media “job” adverts targeting teenagers.
Fraudsters approach young people via platforms like TikTok, then move conversations to WhatsApp or Telegram. They promise easy money for simple online tasks. Two common roles emerge:
- “Trader” scams. Where teenagers complete small tasks and see fake earnings build up in a crypto or investment account. To withdraw the money, they’re asked to pay a “release fee”. The money never comes.
- “Cashier” scams (money muling). Young people are persuaded to allow their bank account to receive and transfer funds. This is money laundering and it is a criminal offence.
If you’re under 18 — or have teenagers at home — have the conversation now. Easy money online rarely is.
Stay one step ahead
At Join the Claim, we believe staying informed is one of the strongest protections you have.
For clear, practical scam updates throughout 2026 — and guidance on what to do if you’ve been affected — sign up to the Join the Claim newsletter.
