Spoofed Nationwide texts claim a new standing order has been set up and direct victims to call a fraudulent number

What is this scam?

Text messages sent from spoofed UK mobile numbers impersonate Nationwide Building Society, warning recipients that a new standing order has been set up on their account. Unlike earlier Nationwide phishing that uses email links, this variant provides a phone number for recipients to call to cancel the supposed instruction — connecting them to a fraudster who attempts to harvest full banking credentials and personal information. Nationwide customers can verify whether they are genuinely speaking with the bank by using the Call Checker feature in the Nationwide app. Genuine Nationwide security texts are sent from short codes and never include a standalone phone number to dispute a transaction.

Example scam message

Red flags to look out for

• The message creates urgency — threatening a fine, missed delivery, or account closure.
• Links lead to unofficial domains that don't match the real company's website.
• You weren't expecting this message and can't verify the event it references.
• It asks you to confirm payment details or personal information via a link.
• The sender's number or email address doesn't match the company's official contact.

What to do if you receive this

1. Do not transfer money — your bank will never ask you to move funds to a 'safe account'.
2. Hang up and call your bank directly on the number printed on the back of your card.
3. Report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.
4. If you've already transferred money, contact your bank immediately and ask about the APP fraud refund scheme.