Published: 04:00 pm, 21 November 2025
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.
Matt Allwright introduces BBC Scam Safe
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.
In a special episode even Amanda Holden is stepping into the fight against fraud – and this time, it’s personal. After scammers used her name and image to con victims out of thousands, Amanda is teaming up with Scam Interceptors. Amanda joins the team to expose the global web of criminals targeting UK victims, including those pretending to be her.
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
Eve Dunlop (Tara Lynne O’Neill and Lois Dunlop (Eleanor Methven)
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
Fake Friend: The Ticket Scammer
How a Somerset high-flyer turned his charm and connections into tools of deception – conning his school friends and hundreds of others while living a life of glamour himself.
Through first-hand testimony, unseen messages, secret recordings and voice notes, this film reveals how a culture of influence and aspiration enabled one man’s deception to thrive, and what happens when that illusion shatters.
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 – Money Box
Saturday 22 November
Money Box will have a special investigation into how victims of fraud are treated by those supposed to help them in the weeks and months afterwards. How are they helped in their fight for justice by the police, their banks and the courts? Or are they all too often left struggling to deal with both the financial and mental impact on their own? Listeners will hear how a small regional charity in the UK has partnered with police to be there for victims when the spotlight of the original crime has faded.
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.
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 11am on CBBC/BBC iPlayer and from 9am online at bbc.co.uk/livelessons
Resources including a teaching guide and printable or digital Mission Packs are available to download on the Live Lessons website.
Meet the experts
Clockwise from top left: Rav Wilding, Matt Allwright, Rebecca Wilcox, Nick Stapleton
Rav Wilding, Matt Allwright, Nick Stapleton and Rebecca Wilcox on why BBC Scam Safe week is important – “No one should ever feel embarrassed about being scammed”
Scam Safe Roadshows
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 Gloucestershire
- Friday 28 November BBC Radio Nottingham
Local / National Radio
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 programme on Tuesday 25 November and Dros Ginio programme on Thursday 27 November.
BBC Radio Wales
BBC Radio Wales will be supporting Scam Safe Week this year with a host of content.
On Saturday 22 November Lucy Owen will be chatting live to Welsh comedian Leila Navabi about making her first comedy for R4 as part of Scam Safe Week called, This is Your Bank.
In Sunday’s edition of All Things Considered from 9am, Azim Ahmed examines fraud, faith and forgiveness. Can faith can make people more susceptible to scams, and can it make them more resilient in recovering from being taken advantage of?
On Sunday afternoon from 3pm the Lynn Bowles show discusses romance fraud with an expert police officer.
On Monday’s Radio Wales Breakfast there will be an interview with DI Iolo Edwards from the North Wales Police Economic Crime Unit on a fake police officer scam. Later on, The Phone In will be speaking to three different guests who have all had experience with different types of scams, such as those targeting the older generation (particularly cold calling scams), bank scams, and Vinted scams. Rav Wilding will be Behnaz’ guest on Monday afternoon to talk all things scam related.
The Science Café on BBC Radio Wales will broadcast a special edition at 6.30pm 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 Wednesday 26 November in Country Focus at 6.30pm, Ifan Jones Evans is joined by Dr Kerry Beynon from the Technology and Innovation Team at HCR Law, who explains the specific risks facing rural organisations. We also hear from Allan Rush, Cyber Protect Officer at Dyfed Powys Police, who offers clear and practical advice on how to stay protected.
On Thursday 27 November at 11am 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.
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.
If you, or someone you know, have been affected by the issues raised, please visit BBC Action Line to find information on organisations that can help
