More than seven in 10 adults in the UK have been targeted by financial scams over the past 12 months, according to data from NatWest.

During the same period, the 70 per cent who were targeted had received an average of three scam attempts per week.

The bank found that the most prevalent scams over the past year include phishing scams – 37 per cent – trusted organisation scams – 21 per cent – and refund scams – 13 per cent, with scams on digital platforms, social media firms and telecommunications companies making up nearly all of the top 10 financial scams.

The research, which surveyed 2,000 Brits, also found that nearly two thirds – 63 per cent – feel apprehensive about their financial online safety.

A further 60 per cent are worried about losing money to a scammer online.

Eight in 10 of respondents said that they were concerned impersonation fraud may become harder to detect in the next five years because of the rise in AI, with 18 per cent saying they have replied to a message from impersonator in the past, initially believing it to be a friend or family member.

“We continue to see scams on the rise, especially through digital and social media channels,” said Stuart Skinner, Fraud Expert from NatWest. “With the increase in new digital tactics used by fraudsters, it’s becoming increasingly harder for consumers to spot, avoid and track."

Skinner warned that messaging platforms like WhatsApp and social media are providing more channels for scammers to operate and reach people through, making it harder for people to keep up with what they should be looking out for next.

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