Can you spot a scam? Give Take Five to Stop Fraud’s test a go and share what you think - £300 voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

I scored 7/8, and the one I got wrong was because I was being over-cautious. Better safe than sorry ! I work on the assumption that I never reply directly from a text or email link, but log in through the bank's main website or contact number. The "scammers" seem to be getting more and more devious.

I got 7 too for the same reason. I never trust anything until I check it for myself.

I scored a 5 which surprised me, I thought that I would have done better so this has made me more cautious - thank you.

Yes I too got 7/8 because I was being over cautious. I still think I wouldn’t trust this type of message.

I got at least one wrong because I hadn't read the 'would you/wouldn't you' carefully enough and ticked the wrong one.
One thing that strikes me - a lot of people like to have a go at pedants like me - they say it's old fashioned and pernickety to care - but given that so many scam messages contain spelling/grammar errors, the pedant's eagle eye can be useful.
I like to think I'm hyper-cautious, esp. since I know a few people who've been scammed, including a relative, via his own careless financial advisor! - that was the scariest. But I would hope I'm never in the least complacent about it.

I got 8/8 but I was surprised at how difficult I found it to recognise the genuine messages.

I got 7 out of 8 as I was being extra cautious. I would always ring my bank re ANY messages as they advise.

I got 8 correct answers. However I don’t get any notifications through my mobile. They always come through my emails which have a different format so I found it quite difficult. These little messages seem so informal that I think it would be easy in the real world to get muddled.

I got 7, missing one that was genuine. I am obviously very suspicious.

7/8 for me too- over cautious!
Got a phone call one morning purporting to be from bank, suggesting unusual activity on my account. I said I’d ring bank myself and caller immediately hung up. I did ring bank, and nothing out of ordinary.
One problem can be if you travel abroad and attempt to withdraw from atm. Transaction may be blocked, until you respond to text msg from bank. If bank doesn’t have your mobile number, can’t get money, until you ring them to sort it out. This happened to DH.

As an ex-banker, I'm shocked that I still got only 6/8 correct. I obviously need to brush up on fraud prevention - thanks for highlighting this.

I scored 7 and like the other Gransnetters, I was just over cautious. However the incorrect one was at least genuine so that gives me hope that I'll spot the fraudulent ones.

I got 7/8 too...and for the same reason: over cautious. While I would never claim to be 'too smart to be scammed', I've become much more savvy since taking the FutureLearn MOOC: Cybersecurity. Just a few hours work over a six week period, and it's free! Highly recommended.

5, I said no to two genuine messages!

Same result for me. I like to err on the side of caution.

I got two wrong. However I feel I erred on the side of caution.

I got 7 out of 8. Quite smart but it can be confusing sometimes to know the difference!

Interesting test, it showed I am perhaps too suspicious, but highlighted what I would normally do, contact the bank or individual using trusted means, not included in the message. And never click or use any link included in the message

I got 7 out of 8. I was surprised that I actually thought one was ok when it wasn't genuine. I am usually very careful. I never click on any links in emails or texts and would always go into my account by logging in as I usually do and check that way.

I scored 7/8. The question I got wrong was where there was a text message asking me about a transaction. I always suspect these messages, whereas this was supposed to be a genuine message.

I'm a bit confused when banks say they would never text or phone. Then a couple of those questions showed that they do!

Well, I was over-cautious too, thinking that one of the genuine ones from a bank was a scam. In my defence, firstly, I spent quite a long time deciding but came down on the side of caution and, secondly I have been contacted by my bank in almost the same way as the example, for the same reasons, but the nature of the messages were different enough for me to think twice.

I'm pretty clued up, I screen my phone calls, use a password manager, have two factor authentication turned on, use a VPN if using WiFi away from home or mobile data on my phone, hover the pointer over email links and urls, keep my contactless card in the depths of my bag, and check my online accounts frequently.

All this security didn't stop someone from using my credit card number on a site that didn't carry out proper verification checks (my card details weren't stolen and my PIN not exposed), nor did it stop some thieves from hurling a brick through modern double glazing and trashing our things!

7/8 for me. Don't think there's ever any harm in ringing your bank on a number separate to whatever might be in a text, I just don't trust anyone these days! I once had a message asking me to text back Y or N as in one of the examples. I didn't, and rang the bank as soon as I got home. My card had been cloned and an attempt to withdraw cash had been made at a cashpoint in the Caribbean somewhere! But when I rang the bank they said they could see why I would be cautious to text back so I will continue to do what I'm doing!

I got 8 out of 8