Written by Duncan Paul Glasgow

Hi, I’m Duncan Paul. Over the past few years, I’ve worked with all sorts of businesses and community groups across Glasgow. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this — anyone can fall for an online scam. Doesn’t matter how smart or careful you are.  These fraudsters are clever, fast, and getting better all the time.

That’s why I put this guide together,  to help folks across Glasgow spot the signs early, stay sharp, and keep their hard-earned money safe. Whether you’re a student in Finnieston, a parent in Pollok, or a pensioner in Bearsden, this article is for you.

Let’s dive into the 5 most common scams in Glasgow and how to avoid them.

1. Fake Parcel Delivery Text Scams

This one’s become really common. You get a text that says something like:

“You missed a parcel delivery. Please pay £1.45 to rearrange it.”

It might look like it’s from Royal Mail, DPD, or even Evri. There’s a link — and it takes you to a very convincing fake website. You enter your details thinking it’s just a small fee… but now the scammers have your card number. And in some cases, they’ll try to log in to your online banking too.

Real Story from Dennistoun:

“I live in Dennistoun and got one of these messages just after ordering a parcel. It looked completely legit. The site had the Royal Mail logo and everything. I typed in my card info, thinking nothing of it. Next day, £250 was gone. I was gutted.”
 — Sarah L., shared in a Glasgow scam alert Facebook group

How to stay safe:

• If you’re unsure, don’t click the link — go to the official website.
  
  
• Never enter your card details from a message link.
  
  
• Forward the text to 7726 — this alerts your mobile network to block future scam messages.

These scammers often rely on timing — like just after you’ve ordered something online. That’s why it feels real.

2. Romance Scams on Dating Apps

This one’s emotional and dangerous. Someone meets you on a dating app — could be Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, or even Facebook Dating. They seem lovely. They chat regularly, say the right things, and build a connection. Then suddenly — there’s an emergency.

They say they’re stuck abroad… or need money for a hospital bill… or a flight to come see you in Glasgow. The story sounds convincing. But it’s fake. The pictures are stolen, and they’re just after your money.

Common Tactics:

• They say they’re a doctor, engineer, or in the army overseas.
  
  
• They avoid meeting in person or video chatting.
  
  
• They ask for money through bank transfers, crypto, or gift cards.

What to do:

• Be careful with people who move fast in relationships.
  
  
• Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
  
  
• If something feels off, trust your gut — and speak to a mate about it.

This scam is especially nasty because it plays on trust and emotions. I’ve heard from locals who’ve lost thousands before realising it was all made up.

3. Fake Bank Messages

These usually come in as texts or emails. They claim to be from your bank — HSBC, RBS, Santander, or TSB — and say your account has been locked or there’s been suspicious activity. They ask you to “log in” via a link to fix the issue.

But here’s the catch — that link leads to a fake site, and once you enter your login details, the scammers have access to your account.

Signs it’s a scam:

• It asks you to click a link and log in immediately.
  
  
• The tone is urgent or scary.
  
  
• The sender’s email or phone number looks slightly “off” — maybe one letter wrong or a strange domain.

What you should do:

• Never log in through a message link.
  
  
• Go to your bank’s official website or use the app.
  
  
• Contact your bank using the phone number on the back of your bank card if unsure.

Also, set up two-factor authentication (2FA) — it gives you an extra layer of protection.

4. Scam Calls Pretending to be HMRC or Police

This scam often targets older residents, international students, or people whose first language isn’t English.

The phone rings. The person on the other end claims to be from HMRC, the Home Office, or even Police Scotland. They say you’ve got unpaid taxes or you’re under investigation. Sometimes they’ll threaten arrest if you don’t pay straight away.

They ask for payment through odd means — like vouchers, Western Union, or bank transfers.

Real Red Flags:

• HMRC or Police will never threaten you over the phone.
  
  
• They’ll never ask for payment through gift cards or transfers.
  
  
• They won’t demand you pay on the spot.

If you get a call like this, hang up immediately and call 101 to check if it’s real.

Sadly, I’ve heard from folks across the Southside who’ve paid hundreds before realising it was all fake. These scammers rely on fear — don’t give them the power.

5. Facebook Marketplace & Gumtree Scams

Online marketplaces are a great way to find deals — but they’re also crawling with scammers.

You might see an advert for a phone, a bike, a sofa — at a price that seems almost too good. You message the seller, and they ask you to pay upfront to “reserve” the item. But once you send the money… the seller disappears.

How to protect yourself:

• Never pay before seeing the item in person.
  
  
• Always meet in a public place.
  
  
• Use safe payment methods like cash on collection or a secure escrow service.
  
  
• Avoid brand new profiles with no reviews or photos.

This scam’s been popping up all over Glasgow — especially in the West End and parts of the Southside. It’s an easy way for scammers to vanish without a trace.

Why I Wrote This Guide

I care about this city. Glasgow’s full of kind, hard-working people — and it bothers me when someone takes advantage of that.

We can’t stop scams completely, but we can talk about them more, share what we know, and keep each other safe. The more aware we are, the harder it is for scammers to win.

So please, share this guide with your pals, your family, your neighbours — anyone who might benefit.

👇 FAQs (Quick Recap)

What are the most common scams in Glasgow in 2025?

• Parcel delivery scams
  
  
• Romance scams
  
  
• Fake bank messages
  
  
• HMRC/police scam calls
  
  
• Facebook Marketplace fraud

Who’s most at risk?

• Older adults
  
  
• Students
  
  
• People new to using online services

Where can I report a scam?

• Action Fraud UK
  
  
• Police Scotland – call 101
  
  
• Forward scam texts to 7726

Final Thoughts

Thanks for reading, and I hope you found this helpful. Whether you’ve been scammed before or just want to protect yourself and your family, being informed is the first step.

If you know of any new scams popping up, feel free to message me or leave a comment. The more we share, the safer we all are.

Let’s make Glasgow scam-free, one step at a time.

– Duncan Paul Glasgow

Read more blogs – Duncan Paul Glasgow – One of Glasgow’s Voices Against Scams