Text message scams are becoming all too common, and Santander customers are being targeted. Known as smishing (SMS phishing), these scams involve fraudsters impersonating banks via text to trick people into revealing personal information or, in some cases, making direct payments to criminals.
Smishing texts are often disguised as security alerts or urgent account notifications, making them incredibly convincing. They’re designed to pressure you into acting quickly before you have time to think.
In 2024 alone, Santander UK reported over £2 million lost to authorised push payment scams, many of which began with a simple text message. Across the UK, more than £1.1 billion was stolen by fraudsters in the same year, highlighting just how serious and widespread the threat has become.
In this article, we’ll break down how Santander scam texts work, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you’ve been targeted.
How Do Santander Scam Texts Work?
Smishing occurs when fraudsters send a text message pretending to be from a trusted organisation, in this case, Santander. These texts often use urgent or alarming language to make you panic and act quickly by clicking a link, calling a number, or sharing personal banking details.
For an in-depth look at how smishing scams operate and the best recovery strategies, check out our guide on phishing, vishing, and smishing scams.
In a recent case, a scammer called an elderly woman posing as a Santander employee, claiming her account had been compromised. The caller convinced her to transfer £5,200 into what she believed was a ‘safe account’, which, in reality, belonged to the scammer. Thankfully, CEL Solicitors stepped in and successfully helped recover the full amount for the victim, along with additional interest.
Types of Santander Scam Texts
Below are some of the most common types of scam texts and the red flags to watch for.
Phishing Texts
Scammers send texts pretending to be from Santander, claiming there is an issue with the customer’s account or that unusual activity has been detected.
Example: ‘We noticed unusual activity on your Santander account. Please click this link to verify your details immediately.’
Red Flags: The urgency of the message, suspicious links, and requests for sensitive information like your account number, password, or PIN.
Fake Fraud Prevention Alerts
Scammers may send texts claiming they are from Santander’s fraud prevention team, warning of unauthorised transactions or suspicious activity.
Example: ‘We’ve temporarily blocked your Santander account due to unusual transactions. Click the link to restore access.’
Red Flags: Links leading to a page that resembles Santander’s official website but with slight differences (e.g., misspelt domain names or unusual URLs).
Prize or Giveaway Scams
Scammers might send a text claiming that the recipient has won a prize or cash reward from Santander. These types of messages are particularly common during busy shopping periods or holidays.
Example: ‘Congratulations! You’ve won a £1,000 gift voucher from Santander. Claim your prize by clicking here.’
Red Flags: Unexpected offers of prizes or money, especially if you haven’t entered any contest or promotion. These texts typically ask for your bank details to claim the prize.
This tactic is similar to the Cadbury Hamper Giveaway Scam, where victims are targeted around the holiday period and encouraged to click suspicious links and give away personal details with the promise of a Cadbury hamper in return.
SMS ‘Payment Confirmation’ Scams
A text that appears to be a payment confirmation or receipt from Santander, asking the recipient to confirm or cancel a transaction they didn’t make.
Example: ‘You’ve made a payment of £500 from your Santander account. If this wasn’t you, click here to cancel the transaction.’
Red Flags: Links to fake pages asking for login details or financial information to ‘cancel’ a payment that was never made.
How to Protect Yourself from Santander Scam Texts
At CEL Solicitors, we know how distressing scam texts can be. Here are a few ways to stay safe:
Never Click on Suspicious Links
Avoid clicking links in any unexpected text messages. Instead, log in directly through the official Santander website or app to check your account.
Verify Directly with Santander
If you receive a suspicious text message and are unsure if it is legitimate, contact Santander directly through official channels. Call 0330 9 123 123 or visit their fraud page.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Activate 2FA on your Santander account to add an extra layer of protection — even if your details are compromised, this can prevent unauthorised access.
Report Scam Texts
Forward suspicious messages to 7726, a free spam-reporting service. Then report the incident to Santander immediately.
What to Do If You’ve Fallen Victim to a Santander Scam Text
If you’ve clicked a link or shared your details, act fast:
- Contact Santander immediately to report the fraud and secure your account.
- Change your online banking passwords and security details.
- Monitor your account for any further suspicious activity.
- Report the scam to Action Fraud (the UK’s national fraud reporting centre).
Protect Yourself with CEL Solicitors
Have you fallen victim to a Santander scam text? Don’t panic. We can help. CEL Solicitors has helped countless victims of text scams recover their money.
We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning you don’t pay a penny unless your case is successful. You’re not to blame, and you don’t have to go through this alone.
For expert advice and support, contact CEL Solicitors today at 0333 305 4982 or fill out our form.
