Article: published on 12 February 2026
Scam Interceptors' Nick Stapleton
Latest Scams - Nick Stapleton
- Published
Nick Stapleton joined BBC Morning Live in the studio to go through the inbox and address viewers' scam concerns. He helped Harriet, whose emails have been hacked, and offered advice on how to protect friends and family from similar cons.
Email hackings on the rise
One viewer, Harriet, said scammers were sending emails from her address asking contacts to chat and send money. She asked whether her contacts were at risk and what steps she should take.
Nick said her contacts would only need to be concerned if they had shared personal information or sent money themselves.
He explained there are two main possibilities in cases like this. An account can be hacked, meaning someone has gained access. Alternatively, fraudsters can use email spoofing, which makes messages appear to come from a legitimate address. In some cases, a lookalike email address is created by changing a single character.
Harriet was advised to reset her password immediately and change it on any other accounts where the same password had been used. Nick said two factor authentication, such as receiving a code by text message, adds an extra layer of security.
He also suggested checking sent messages and email rules to see whether messages had been redirected, turning off any auto forwarding settings she did not recognise, and warning contacts not to click on suspicious links.
Phishing emails can be reported to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Viewers were also advised to remove unfamiliar third party apps connected to their email account, run a malware scan on devices and keep software up to date.
Cold calls about car finance refunds
Another viewer, Ray, said he had received a call from someone claiming to have secured compensation for mis sold car finance. The caller quoted an old address and asked for his new one. Ray gave it but ended the call when more information was requested.
Nick said Ray had done the right thing by hanging up when he felt uncomfortable.
He explained that fraudsters often use personal details obtained from data breaches or illicit databases to sound convincing. The goal is usually to collect updated information, which can then be used in further scam attempts or sold on.
Nick said sharing a single piece of information such as an address does not automatically mean someone is at risk, but advised reporting suspicious calls to Action Fraud.
He also suggested monitoring bank accounts, watching for suspicious post or emails and checking credit reports for unexpected changes. For those concerned about identity theft, a protective registration with Cifas can add extra checks when applying for credit.
Survey letter with cash enclosed
A third viewer, Pauline, contacted the programme after receiving a letter asking her to complete a survey, which included a £5 note.
After checking, the programme confirmed the letter was genuine and had been sent by the National Centre for Social Research. The organisation said the £5 was an incentive to encourage participation.
Nick said the team verified the letter by checking the organisation's registration on Companies House, cross referencing contact details with its official website and contacting it directly.
He advised viewers to look out for warning signs such as poor spelling, urgent demands for personal information or pressure to act quickly. If in doubt, he said, contact the organisation directly using details from its official website rather than those provided in the letter.
