Published: 12:00 pm, 28 October 2025
The BBC is dedicating a full week to being a trusted destination for advice, insight, and engagement on how to spot and stop scams.
— Kate Phillips, BBC Chief Content Officer
Building on the success of previous years, BBC Scam Safe week is back for 2025. Kicking off on Saturday 22 November, Scam Safe week brings together content from across the BBC including TV, radio, iPlayer, Sounds and online – to help the public stay informed in the fight against scams.
As scammers grow bolder, the BBC is once again stepping up to deliver a powerful public service campaign, with a whole week dedicated to special programming designed to highlight what viewers can do to protect themselves and those they love from being scammed.
Kate Phillips, BBC Chief Content Officer, says:
“The BBC is dedicating a full week to being a trusted destination for advice, insight, and engagement on how to spot and stop scams.”
“At the BBC, we remain deeply committed to tackling disinformation and empowering our audiences with facts they can trust. With fraud making up over 40% of all crime in the UK, raising public awareness has never been more essential. Our 2025 Scam Safe week will equip people with the knowledge and confidence they need to protect themselves – and drive a vital national conversation. With our unparalleled access and expertise, we’re proud to stand with communities across the UK in the fight against fraud.”
All of the BBC’s scam-related content will be accessible through the Scam Safe website (www.bbc.co.uk/scamsafe) and promoted across the BBC’s social media platforms, audiences can follow or join in the conversation throughout the week using the hashtag #BBCScamSafe.
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Programming information
TV & BBC iPlayer
BBC News
BBC News will run stories throughout the week, online, along with TV and Radio bulletins and live moments.
Newsround/Newsbeat
Gamers on Roblox’s Grow A Garden are being scammed out of rare pets like the Golden Goose and Red Panda – on Thursday 27 November viewers will discover how to stay safe while they play.
BBC One
BBC Breakfast
Kicking off the week there will be scam related news content on BBC Breakfast all week starting from 6am on Saturday 22 November.
Countryfile
The week’s episode of Countryfile includes an investigation by Tom Heap into the scammers who impersonate food businesses – ranging from supermarkets to small farms – and then use their identities to make big orders from other farmers and food producers. The goods disappear on delivery, and the suppliers never get paid. We’ll hear from a cheese-maker caught up in one huge scam, as well a husband and wife who found their identities and the name of their farm were being used by fraudsters to order everything from potatoes to meat and fresh produce. We’ll track one delivery of potatoes made to the scammers, and hear how the farmer who grew them managed to get them back. The programme comes with advice on how to spot this kind of fraud.
Morning Live
Morning Live will be spearheading the BBC Scam Safe campaign with live coverage across the week. Each week day the team will be going live from across the UK at the BBC Scam Safe roadshows. Here our experts, including Watchdog’s Matt Allwright and Scam Interceptor’s Nick Stapleton, will be sharing the latest scam doing the rounds and the best ways to keep the criminals at bay.
The programmes will look at everything from how accessible fraud reporting is and the risks of identity theft, to an incredibly convincing whisky investment scam, and even reports of scammers claiming to help get your money back… from other scammers!
The programme will also once again be running it’s hugely popular ‘Stick It To The Scammers’ campaign, giving away stickers free to its viewers to prompt them to think twice when answering their phone.
Scam Interceptors
Hosts Rav Wilding and Nick Stapleton join up with ethical hacker Jim Browning as they continue to hold unscrupulous scammers to account from the Scam Interceptors HQ in Glasgow.
Four brand-new episodes from the new series will showcase the team’s sophisticated strategies to intercept scam calls to victims across the UK. And if they can’t reach the person on the phone – teams on the ground will race to their homes to stop the scams in person.
Scam Interceptors will air weekdays at 2pm on BBC One during Scam Safe Week from 24 November, with the entire series launching on Monday 3 November 2025 on iPlayer.
Rip Off Britain
The Rip Off Britain team will be back with Gloria Hunniford, Julia Somerville, and Louise Minchin tackling some of the most urgent and concerning scam issues. Joining them is BBC Radio 4 journalist Shari Vahl, who will share her expert insights. Special episodes will focus on scams involving counterfeit goods, courier fraud, gift card cons, and fraudulent football and flight ticket sales.
The series will delve into some alarming cases, including fake bank accounts, scam phone calls, and a devastating AI romance scam in which one woman believed she had found true love – only to be deceived and left tens of thousands of pounds out of pocket, with a broken heart.
The series will also highlight an international crypto mega-scam that used fake investments and bogus celebrity endorsements to con 32,000 people out of hundreds of millions of pounds.
After 17 years of Rip Off Britain, the series has covered countless scams, and a lot has changed. To round off Scam Safe Week, it revisits some of the most memorable and shocking stories – highlighting how scams have evolved and how much better protected the public is now compared to when the series first began.
To ensure the week of scam specials doesn’t feel daunting, each episode will be packed with advice and tips. Throughout the week the team will be hearing how the battle against fraudsters is being fought and won across the UK – including inside access to the banking team charged with convincing customers they’re at risk of being defrauded; and the story of the undercover Rip Off Britain investigation that helped lead to the jailing of a company boss who encouraged his staff his staff to bully and lie to vulnerable customers.
Bargain Hunt
A Bargain Hunt episode on Monday November 24 November sees presenter Christina Trevanion explores the growing problem of counterfeit antiques and collectables. She meets with Derby-based auctioneer James Lewis, who shares striking examples of fakes he’s encountered, including imitation Royal Crown Derby porcelain. James highlights the differences between a genuine gilded plate and a poor-quality copy – the latter potentially hazardous due to high lead content in its paint. Christina also investigates the growing problem of fake celebrity autographs autographs and speaks to expert Garry King about the different ways they’re created and how to spot them.
Hope Street
BBC Daytime and BBC One Northern Ireland police drama Hope Street will feature a storyline centred around phone scams which runs across the week. When Lois receives a suspicious phone call, she quickly realises it is a scammer and tells her daughter, Police Inspector Eve Dunlop. Lois is not the only one who has been targeted in Port Devine. The police hear the calls and realise the accents are local and wonder if the scammers are operating closer to home than they thought.
Meanwhile, Clint is not so lucky and is scammed out of £25K when he shares his bank account details with a fraudster during a phone call.
The One Show
Watchdog on The One Show will be at the heart of the week. They’ll be looking at the fake law firms that claim to get people compensation for mis-installed spray foam installation and the latest on scams and social media scams.
EastEnders
EastEnders will feature a storyline on healthcare scams which will see Lauren duped out of money by fraudsters with a fake treatment plan for her son Jimmy. The storyline will focus on how scammers play into individuals’ vulnerabilities and emotions surrounding the healthcare of those they love to convince people to part with money.
BBC Three
BBC Three will air a brand-new documentary as part of BBC Scam Safe Week.
BBC iPlayer
All special-programming and archived content will be included under a dedicated section on iPlayer titled Scams and Fraudsters
BBC Radio & Sounds
Special-programming and podcasts will be featured under a dedicated section on Sounds titled Scams and Fraudsters
Radio 1 – Life Hacks
In a Life Hacks special on scams, an expert will take part in an ‘Ask Me Anything’. Listeners will be able to get answers to their questions and hear expert advice on how to stay safe and spot the latest scams.
Radio 1Xtra – 1Xtra Talks with Richie Brave
On BBC Radio 1Xtra, Richie Brave will host two special shows for Scam Safe week exploring travel scams. Following on from the investigative documentary Death in Dubai with BBC Journalist Runako Celina, in the first 1Xtra Talks Scam Safe special, Richie will look at how people are manipulated into moving country in the hopes of a better life only to then be exploited. Runako will join the show to discuss these scams and how they impact people on a systematic level.
In the second Scam Safe special, Richie will take a wider look at other types of travel scams, from being tricked into spending money on a trip that never existed or materialised, to booking trips on fake websites, pickpocketing, taxi and transport scams and more. Richie will delve into the tactics used by scammers to lure people in and be joined by an expert to offer advice on how to prevent being scammed in this way.
Radio 2 – The Scott Mills Breakfast Show
Scott Mills will kick off BBC Scam Safe Week with a very special guest who will be passing on tips of how to stay Scam Safe.
Asian Network – The Everyday Hustle
The Everyday Hustle on BBC Asian Network will host a special show for Scam Safe week utilising the expertise of presenter Harleen Nottay who is also part of the Scam Interceptors team. The Everyday Hustle provides tips and tricks around navigating businesses and entrepreneurship for British Asians and looks at the challenges and wins that come with this.
Radio 4 – Moneybox
A special Moneybox episode will be exploring the support that scam victims receive.
Radio 4 – Scam Secrets
Thursday 28 November, 12pm
Scam Secrets will have a special episode with Shari Vahl on how to get your money back if you’re scammed.
Radio 4 – Secrets and Lies: Scammer
Saturday 22 November, 3pm
Satinder Kaur Chohan’s moving drama Scammer about the ruthless world of scam call centres is part of BBC Radio 4 drama collection, Secrets and Lies.
Moving between a bustling scam call centre in Delhi and a house under the Heathrow flight path in British Asian suburbia, Scammer explores a surprising intergenerational connection in a disconnected modern world, in which secrets and lies are currency in deceitful global transactions.
Radio 4 – It’s a Fair Cop: Scam Special
Wednesday 26 November, 6:30pm
Ever had a text from a non-existent offspring? A call from someone claiming to be from your bank? Or an email from a Nigerian prince….? Alfie Moore, cop turned comic, is here to guide you through the modern world of scams.
Radio 4 – Leila Nevabi, This is Your Bank
Wednesday 26 November, 11:15pm
Welsh comedian Leila Navabi takes on the phone scammers, flipping the script on who is fooling who. As she tries different ways to out-improvise the callers, she begins to see a different picture of who they might be.
More content from Radio 4
Saturday Live will be discussing scams with guests to be announced and on Monday and Tuesday of Scam Safe Week, You and Yours will also feature Scam Safe content. The Food Programme on Friday 28 November will also have a special feature.
Roadshows
BBC Local/National Radio
BBC Scam Safe week is proud to announce a week of upcoming roadshows in collaboration with Morning Live and BBC local radio. The roadshows are being delivered in partnership with the BBC Scam Safe Partners Stop Scams UK, UK Finance, National Trading Standards, The Open University. They will feature representatives from major high street banks, national trading standards and scam experts who will be on hand to provide advice to members of the public.
These roadshows aim to raise awareness about scams and fraud, providing vital support and education. Each event will feature live radio coverage from local BBC stations, offering real-time advice and resources to listeners. The dates and locations of the Scam Safe roadshows are as follows:
Three hosted by 3 by Nations:
Monday 24 November Radio Ulster, Belfast
Tuesday 25 November Radio Scotland, Glasgow
Thursday 27 November Radio Wales, Cardiff
and 6 run by English local radio stations:
Monday 24 November BBC Newcastle and Tees
Tuesday 25 November BBC Three Counties Radio
Tuesday 25 November BBC Radio Sheffield
Weds 26 November BBC Radio Kent
Thursday 27 November BBC Radio Gloucester
Friday 28 November BBC Radio Nottingham
BBC Radio Ulster
On Saturday 28 November, Consumer Fight Back broadcasts a special pre-recorded OB from The Open University in Belfast for BBC Scam Safe Week. The team will examine some common scams that are targeted at the public and are joined by Jim Browning – the internet’s famous scam baiter – to raise awareness on how to recognise potential scams.
BBC Radio Cymru
Welsh language station BBC Radio Cymru will also have scam-focussed topics and conversations on their Dros Frecwast and Dros Ginio programmes on Tuesday 25 November.
BBC Radio Wales
BBC Radio Wales will be supporting Scam Safe Week this year with a host of content. The Science Café on BBC Radio Wales will broadcast a special edition on Tuesday 25 November on The Psychology of Scams. Presenter, Adam Walton unravels the psychological impact of scams and asks how we can prevent ourselves from becoming victims of fraud. Joining Adam is Brian Clegg, Author of ‘Brainjacking: The Science of Influence and Manipulation’. Advising on trust issues is Professor Rob Ward from Bangor University. Plus, Dr Gabrielle Jiga-Boy from Swansea University describes how our emotions shape our decision-making.
On Thursday 25 November at 11.00am Radio Wales will have a special live programme from Central Square hosted by Justine Jones, with scam experts and a studio audience. The day’s Scam Safe Roadshow will be based in the Cardiff studio and will feature on Morning Live on BBC One.
All Things Considered, The Phone In and Behnaz Akhgar’s Show will all be broadcasting special editions to coincide with Scam Safe Week.
BBC Radio Scotland
BBC Radio Scotland’s topical show Mornings will feature the issue throughout the week. Coverage will include a phone-in on scamming, and a surgery which will give the audience expert advice on staying safe.
On Tuesday 25 November Radio Scotland will have a special live programme with scam experts. The day’s Scam Safe Roadshow will be in Glasgow and will feature on Morning Live on BBC One.
BBC Education
BBC Education will once again launch the How Scam Savvy Are You? online quiz, designed to help participants test and improve their knowledge of common scams and fraud tactics. Whether you’re a seasoned scam-spotter or just starting to navigate the world of online security, the quiz offers an informative and entertaining way to boost your scam awareness. Participants will be able to compare their own scores with well-known celebrities and famous faces from across the BBC, adding a fun and competitive twist to the test.
BBC Bitesize
BBC Bitesize will be teaming up with BBC News to host a TikTok Live and bespoke web offering to support teenagers around scams that impact them specifically.
Live Lesson
A new BBC Live Lesson from Bitesize will help primary school children understand how to manage their money and spot scammers.
The curriculum linked half hour lesson will be packed with fun interactive challenges to help 7–11-year-olds recognise the signs of scams along with top tips of what to do if something doesn’t seem right.
The 30 minute Live Lesson is presented by Joel Mawhinney and Harleen Nottay, and will be available to watch on Thursday 27 November 2025 at 11:00 on CBBC/BBC iPlayer and from 9:00am online at bbc.co.uk/livelessons
Resources including a teaching guide and printable or digital Mission Packs will be available to download on the Live Lessons website two weeks before the broadcast. Teachers and parents can request shout-outs for children via the website or by emailing live.lessons@bbc.co.uk
Partners
As part of Scam Safe the BBC have partnered with a number of external organisations who will bring insight to the week. They are Stop Scams UK, an industry-led collaboration of businesses from across the banking, telecoms and technology sectors; UK Finance, the trade association for the UK’s banking and finance industry; National Trading Standards, which protects consumers and supports businesses through cross-boundary intelligence-led enforcement projects and The Open University, who have had a unique educational partnership with the BBC since 1971 and today focuses on supporting the University’s social mission by extending reach and engagement.
Ruth Evans, Chair of Stop Scams UK, said “Fraud remains the most reported crime in the UK, and its impact is both widespread and deeply personal. This is why our partnership with BBC Scam Safe Week is so important. Our member network of finance, telecoms and tech firms give people the advice and tips they need to stay one step ahead of the scammers.
Through initiatives like 159 – the quick, secure number that connects people directly to their bank if they think they’re being scammed – we’re making it easier for everyone to take action and stay safe. Every call to 159 is a potential scam stopped and person protected.”
Ben Donaldson, Managing Director of Economic Crime at UK Finance said: “We are excited to be an official partner of the BBC’s Scam Safe Week 2025, helping to bring awareness to financial fraud and help provide key advice on how the public can protect themselves. The criminals that commit these crimes can be devious and manipulative, but by following the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign people can learn ways to protect themselves and others from future fraudulent requests.”
Louise Baxter, Head of the National Trading Standards Scams Team, said: “Anyone can be affected by scams, and the impact on victims can be huge, emotionally as well as financially. To build the nation’s resilience against scams, it’s vital people are given the information and tools they need to protect themselves and that’s why we’re excited to be a BBC Scam Safe Week partner. The BBC provides a unique platform to share these important messages and to help reduce the victim-blaming culture often associated with these crimes. We look forward playing our part in an important week.”
For more information from The Open University, please visit their Morning Live Scam Safe Season website here.
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