Scam Awareness & Safety Guide
Table of Contents
Why this Guide Matters
Scams are designed to create pressure, confusion and urgency so that people act before they think. Because money transfers can be fast and final, especially cash pick-up, wallet credit or instant bank payout, recovering funds after a scam can be very difficult. This guide explains how common scams work, the warning signs to look for, what Africlink will and will not do, and the steps to take immediately if you are worried about a payment.
How Criminals Operate
Fraudsters typically build credibility (by impersonating trusted organisations or people), create urgency (claiming your account is at risk, or a deal will disappear), and ask you to move money in a way that avoids scrutiny (to a new “safe” account, to a third party, via gift cards or crypto, or through remittance). They may text, call, email or message you on social media and will often coach you on what to say if anyone challenges the transfer.
Common Scams Explained
Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams. You are persuaded to send money yourself often for an “investment,” a bargain purchase, an urgent bill, or to help a relative. Because you authorise the payment, banks and MSBs treat it as authorised, making recovery difficult. Impersonation scams. Criminals pretend to be your bank, HMRC, police, your employer, a parcel company or even Africlink. They may spoof the caller ID and know personal details. They often ask you to move money to a “safe” account or to reveal security codes.
Romance scams. A relationship begins online; after building trust, the person asks for money for flights, medical bills or business problems, or steers you into “investments”.
Purchase scams. Goods or services are offered on social media or marketplaces at below-market prices; once you pay, the seller disappears or sends something worthless.
Investment and Crypto Scams. Slick websites, fake testimonials and pressure to make a first deposit; early “returns” are shown to lure larger payments, then access is blocked.
Job/overpayment scams. A “recruiter” or “employer” sends an overpayment and asks you to refund the excess; the original payment later bounces, and you lose your refund.
Invoice/business email compromise (BEC). Criminals change the payee details on an invoice or intercept emails so that funds are sent to them.
Family or “Hi Mum/Dad” scams. A message from a new number claims to be your child or relative with a broken phone needing urgent funds. Advance-fee and lottery scams. You are told to pay fees/taxes to release a prize, grant, inheritance or loan that does not exist. Money-mule recruitment. You are offered payment to receive and forward funds. This is illegal and risks your account being closed and reported to authorities.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be wary of new payment instructions sent by message or email; requests for secrecy or to bypass normal checks; threats of arrest, fines or account closure; pressure to act “now”; requests to share one-time passcodes, 2FA codes or to install remote access apps; instructions to pay via gift cards or crypto; collection by a third party you do not know; and stories that change when you ask basic questions.
What Africlink will Never do
We will never ask for your passwords, two-factor codes, or remote access to your device. We will never pressure you to make an immediate transfer, tell you to move money to a “safe account”, or ask you to keep a conversation secret from your bank or family. We will never ask you to pay a fee to release a refund or to “unlock” a frozen transfer. If anyone claims to be from Africlink and does these things, stop and contact us directly at [email protected].
If you Suspect a Scam – Act Now
Stop the payment if possible and contact us immediately with your Africlink transaction reference so we can place a hold if it has not been paid out. Contact your bank or card issuer at once to report what happened. Report the incident to Action Fraud (UK) on 0300 123 2040 (or Police Scotland via 101). Keep all evidence, messages, numbers, email headers, website links, receipts and screenshots—and avoid further contact with the suspected fraudster. If you gave remote access to your device, disconnect it from the internet and seek IT support to remove any software installed.
What we can do and Limits
We will review your transaction urgently, alert payout partners, and request a freeze or return where possible. If funds have already been collected or credited, recovery is uncertain and depends on the beneficiary and local laws. We will provide you with relevant references and work with banks, partners and law enforcement on a best-efforts basis. Please understand that where a payment was authorised by you, a refund is not guaranteed.
Protecting Yourself Going Forward
Verify payment requests using a trusted phone number or official website, never the number in a suspicious message. Agree on a family passphrase for genuine emergencies. For invoices or large payments, use a callback check to confirm account details before sending. Keep your devices updated, use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication on email and financial accounts. Treat investment opportunities and “guaranteed returns” with extreme caution; if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
How Africlink Reduces Fraud Risk
We use identity verification, sanctions and watchlist screening, transaction monitoring and corridor controls. Our staff and agents are trained to spot suspicious behaviour and may ask additional questions about your payment to help protect you. We reserve the right to delay, decline or cancel transfers where we suspect fraud, money-mule activity or other unlawful use. These safeguards may feel inconvenient, but they are there to keep customers safe.
Getting Help from Africlink
If you are unsure about a payment, pause and ask us to check it before you send. Email [email protected] or call +447405792180, and we will review the situation confidentially. We would rather cancel a risky transaction than see you lose money.
Updates to this Guide
We review this guide periodically to reflect new scam tactics and our controls. The version and effective date are shown at the top. We may highlight significant updates on our website or through customer communications.
