The Co-operative Bank launches online scam checker

Purchase scams have tripled over the last year according to industry experts. This is having huge impacts on both small businesses and individuals alike. Purchase scams are when we order from a site, pay for our goods which never existed and never arrive. According to Wales Online purchase scams have increased by 164%.

As we recognise this at The Scam Hound, over the last two weeks we have been looking at how to help you spot a suspicious link, and how to spot the real name of a website. This information can be used to help you identify a scam before it does any real damage. The Co-op has just launched a new scam checker service to help tackle fraud, using this tool, in addition to common sense and skills above can help prevent fraud at its source.

The Co-operative Bank has just teamed up with scam-checking service Ask Silver to launch its own online tool that helps people check possible scams before they act. The service lets users upload a text message, image or website and receive guidance on whether it could be fraudulent.

What the new scam checker does

The new tool is designed to give people a second opinion when something feels fraudulent. Instead of trying to decide alone, users can submit the suspicious item and receive guidance on whether it looks like a scam.

That could include:

• A text message claiming to be from a courier

• A screenshot of a payment request

• An image of a letter or notice

• A website that asks for personal or banking details

• A message from someone pretending to be a trusted organisation

  
  

The service does not replace common sense or official support from a bank, but it gives customers an extra step before clicking a link, sending money or sharing details.

For many scam attempts, that pause is valuable. Fraudsters often create urgency. They might claim an account will be locked, a parcel will be returned, or a payment must be made straight away. A tool that slows the moment down can help break that pressure.

Why banks are paying closer attention to scam messages

The Co-operative Bank’s partnership with Ask Silver reflects a wider shift in fraud prevention. Banks are not only trying to stop suspicious payments after they happen. They are also trying to help customers identify fraud earlier, at the point where the scam begins.

That is often the moment when a person receives a message and thinks, “This looks odd, but I’m not sure.”

How customers can use the tool safely

The scam checker is meant to review suspicious content, but users should still be careful about what they upload.

A good rule is to share only what the tool needs to assess the warning signs. If an image contains sensitive information, such as a full card number, password, memorable word or private document, it is safer to cover or crop those details first where possible.

Before acting on any suspicious instruction, customers should also follow basic fraud safety habits:

• Do not click links in unexpected messages Go to the official website by typing the address into the browser.

  
  

• Do not share one-time passcodes A bank will not ask a customer to hand over a code so it can “protect” an account.

  
  

• Do not move money under pressure Fraudsters often claim funds must be transferred to a “safe account”. Banks do not ask customers to do this.

  
  

• Do not rely on caller ID Phone numbers can be spoofed, so a call can appear to come from a trusted organisation.

  
  

• Contact the bank directly Use the number on the back of a bank card or the bank’s official website.

  
  

The new checker can sit alongside these habits. It gives guidance, but the safest response to a worrying banking message is still to stop, check and contact the bank through a trusted route.

To test out the new scam checker click here.

This article has been created for information purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.