Here’s What I Wish I’d Known video transcript.

This video transcript is for the video shown on our TEPO scam page.

"Hello. My name’s John, and I want to share something that happened to me. A few months ago, I got a phone call from someone claiming to be from HMRC saying I owed the taxman money.

They said I owed money and that I could be arrested if I didn’t pay straight away. I was scared—and I ended up losing £2,700 to scammers. They knew my name and address. They sounded very official.

They told me to go to the bank and transfer the money. I didn’t want to get into trouble, so I did what they said. It was only later, when I spoke to my son, that I realised it was a scam. I wish I’d known that real organisations like HMRC, the police, or your bank will never ask for money over the phone. They won’t ask for your PIN or send someone to your house to collect your card.

If something doesn’t feel right—pause. Hang up. Speak to someone you trust. Since then, I’ve learned there are other scams too—letters saying you’ve won a prize, or people pretending to be from charities or the council.

If you’re not sure, don’t respond. Keep your personal details safe and always check things out first. There are also scams where people contact you out of the blue, offering help to invest in things like cryptocurrency. If someone cold calls you about an investment opportunity—it’s a scam.

Always speak to a qualified financial advisor before making any decisions. If you get letters with personal details, don’t just throw them away. I use a special stamp that blacks out my name and address—it’s quick and easy.

You can also tear them up or use a shredder if you have one. If you’ve been scammed, please don’t feel ashamed. These people are clever, and they catch you off guard. But you’re not alone."

Call Citizens Advice consumer helpline: 0808 223 1133 for help and advice.