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6 links you should never click

From fake delivery texts to dangerous QR codes, scammers are constantly finding new ways to catch us out online

by Lisa Barber

Online scams can be frustratingly hard to spot, with criminals using copycat websites, realistic messages and the power of AI to create more believable scams

1. Suspicious social media ads

Some are more obvious than others. Investing in random Bitcoin schemes from a company you’ve never heard of is unlikely to make you money. Buying a patch or some strange ‘miracle’ salt won’t help you lose weight quickly, either. Others are less obvious, such as ads that use a legitimate company’s branding and ask you to fill in a customer survey. 

And even if one seems easy to spot now, there’s a chance you’ll eventually come across one that bypasses your defences, especially as scams become more convincing with the help of AI.

Before you click, ask yourself these two things:

  • Is this too good to be true? 
  • Is it posted from an official channel of a legitimate company? 

It is, quite frankly, appalling that social media companies aren’t doing more to stop scam ads. When we flag these ads, the platforms typically tell us they’ve removed the scams due to violating their policies, and that they don’t allow scams on their platforms. 

Yet we still see more ads appearing. And you, your friends and your family probably do, too.

Tech analyst firm Juniper Research estimated that social media companies made nearly £3.8 billion in revenue from scam ads in Europe in 2025.

2. Missed delivery messages

‘Delivery not achieved’ – all I need to do is either click the link or reply ‘Y’ to get it all sorted out. Yeah, right. And I’ve got a bridge I can sell you.

Never, ever click on a link from a message like this. If I’ve got a package I’m waiting for, I’ll always check the official website or app to find out where it is. The Royal Mail app is very useful, too, as you just paste into it the delivery code the retailer sent you. 

Take particular care at busy times of year, like Christmas. Scammers will always try it on then, as they know so many of us are waiting for deliveries. I know someone who ended up handing over their credit card details after ordering a Christmas present online and then falling for one of these messages.

Another giveaway is urgency. Scam texts often try to panic you into acting quickly by threatening returns, extra fees or missed deliveries if you don’t respond immediately. And remember – legitimate delivery firms won’t ask you to confirm sensitive information or payment details via a random text link.

3. Copycat websites

This used to be a common scam, but I haven’t seen it in a while – I’m including it here in case, like whack-a-mole, it pops up again. Particularly as more of us are using AI and relying on it to help find the right site.

Back in the day, you’d use a search engine to find the right website to renew, say, your passport or driving licence. ‘Helpful’ websites would appear, claiming to take the stress out of the process or even pretending to be the official sites themselves.

At best, you’d overpay for something you could have easily done via the gov.uk website. At worst, you’d overpay and hand your details directly to scammers, ready to be reused or sold on.

Only use official websites. For government services, that usually means checking the address ends in .gov.uk. And if you need a hand filling something in, the Post Office can usually help – or you could ask a neighbour or relative.

Be cautious about clicking sponsored search results, too. Scammers have been known to pay for ads that appear above genuine websites in search results.

4. Car park QR codes

Gone are the days when we’d all keep loose change in the car. Now, it’s easy to pay for parking using your phone. Or at least it should be.

Have you got the right app downloaded? If not, you might not want to use mobile data installing it, or your signal may not be strong enough. Thank heavens there’s a handy QR code that you can simply scan, click and use to enter your card details.

Unless, of course, it’s a sticker placed over the real QR code that sends you to a phishing website designed to steal your bank details.

I recommend using your home wi-fi to download the parking app most commonly used in your local area. it’ll save you hassle later on and means you can pay with confidence. Side quest: find out which app your local hospital uses, just in case – your future self will thank you.

If you’re in a car park and there’s a QR code, see if you can pay by another way – a website, for example, if you can’t download the app. 

Otherwise, if you really have to scan, double-check you’re not scanning a sticker placed over the original. Use your phone’s camera and preview the link first in the pop-up that appears. Look carefully at the website address you’re being sent to – does it look genuine?

5. Ransom emails

This is a particularly nasty scam. You receive an email claiming that someone has hacked your webcam and recorded you – and that the footage will be sent to all your contacts unless you pay up. This won’t resonate with everyone, as it depends on what content you enjoy viewing. But it’s absolutely terrifying when it reaches its intended audience.

Some versions even include an old password of yours to make the threat seem more believable. Usually, though, that password has been exposed in a historic data breach rather than stolen directly from your device.

These emails are sent out far and wide, and scammers only need a handful of people to panic and pay up to make them worthwhile. Ignore the message. Do not engage. Do not pay.

6. Password reset emails I wasn’t expecting

It’s easy to see why scammers send these emails, as they can look incredibly convincing. They often copy the branding, colours and wording used by well-known companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Amazon or Netflix.

The email will often claim your account will be locked or deleted unless you act immediately. Scammers include this as they want you to react emotionally, so you click straight away and give away your data.

Sometimes these emails are actually from the company itself, as it’s been triggered when someone enters your address on a login page – either by mistake or as part of an automated attack using leaked passwords from other websites.

Either way, I would never click. 

If you get a password reset email you weren’t expecting, go directly to the company’s website or app and check your account there.

AI is making investment scams easier than ever

The rise of AI-generated images and videos has made fraud easier than ever for scammers, as many imitate famous figures in finance to feign credibility. Last year fraudsters used the likeness of investor Steven Bartlett to lure unsuspecting victims.

Since then, similar scams that use the likeness of Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey, and Blackrock CEO Larry Fink, and others have been found.

A survey of fraud-management and financial crime prevention experts showed that AI is making fraud more difficult to deal with.

Around 84% of respondents to the survey by BioCatch, said AI has increased the sophistication of fraud and scam schemes as deepfakes are becoming increasingly difficult to spot.

Jonathan Frost, director of global advisory for EMEA at BioCatch said: “Agentic AI is making fraud faster, more scalable, and harder to detect. Criminals will inevitably use AI, potentially leading to exponential growth in fraud.”

How to protect yourself from fraud

With fraud on the rise, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. These include:

  • Never give out your personal information to any organisation before you check they are legitimate. This includes your name, address, bank details, email, or phone number.
  • Make sure your personal devices have up-to-date antivirus software so that any malware targeting you can be stopped before it does significant damage.
  • Be conscious of phishing attempts where scammers send emails, texts, or phone calls pretending to be an organisation or individual that they are not. They often try to get you to give out your personal details or passwords. Common signs of a phishing message include grammatical errors, urgent language and suspicious-sounding email addresses or numbers.

If you think you have been a victim of fraud, contact your bank as soon as possible. You should also report the crime to Action Fraud.

To prevent yourself from becoming a victim, you should also remember the number 159 – a number you can dial if you get a suspecting call. It will direct you to your bank who can confirm if the caller is legitimate.

Why did I receive a password reset email I didn’t request?

by Tom Morgan

Unexpected password reset emails don’t always mean your account has been hacked, but it’s important to know how to respond

If you’ve received a password reset email you didn’t request, it could be a sign that someone else is trying to access your account without your permission.

In many cases, these emails are triggered when someone enters your address on a login page – either by mistake or as part of an automated attack using leaked passwords from other websites. This can happen with a wide range of accounts, including email services, social media, online shopping sites and online banking.

Below, we explain how to tell if the email is genuine, and what steps you should take next if you’re sure you didn’t make the request yourself.

Why did I receive a password reset email?

LinkedIn password reset email

Assuming you didn’t request a password reset yourself, there’s a chance someone is trying to access your account. For example, a hacker might target your email inbox so they can reset passwords for your other accounts.

But crucially, receiving a password reset email doesn’t mean the attempt was successful.

Instead, it could simply be a sign that your email address is being targeted. In some cases, these attempts are automated – cybercriminals often use lists of leaked usernames and passwords from previous data breaches to try logging into accounts across multiple websites.

It can also be something more harmless, such as someone accidentally entering your email address when trying to reset their own account.

As a precaution, you can check whether your email address has appeared in a known data breach using the website Have I Been Pwned.

Is the email a scam?

It could be. Scammers sometimes send fake password reset messages that appear to come from trusted companies such as Microsoft or Google.

These emails are designed to trick you into clicking a link and entering your details on a fake website. Check the sender’s address carefully and avoid clicking any links if you’re unsure. Scam emails often try to create a sense of urgency, so be wary of messages that push you to act quickly. 

If in doubt, go directly to the company’s official website instead.

What to do if you didn’t request a password reset

1. Don’t click any links in the email

If the message is a scam, the link could take you to a fake website designed to steal your login details. Instead, open a new browser window and enter the company’s web address yourself to access your account safely.

2. Check the sender’s address

Look for anything unusual, such as misspellings, extra characters or a domain that doesn’t match the company’s official website. Be wary of addresses that look similar but use different endings (for example, .net instead of .com). You can also search the address online to see if other users have reported issues.

3. Check your account for unusual activity

Log in to your account directly (not via any links in the password reset email) and look for anything you don’t recognise, such as login attempts from unfamiliar locations or devices. Most services have a Security or Recent activity section where you can review this.

The exact steps will vary depending on the service you’re using. For example:

  • On Gmail – on desktop, scroll to the bottom of your inbox and click Details next to Last account activity. On mobile, open the Gmail app, tap your profile picture, then Manage your Google Account > Security and sign-in. Review the Recent security activity and Your devices headings.
  • On Outlook – on desktop, open your Outlook inbox, click the profile icon in the top-right corner and then My Microsoft account. From there, choose Security > See your sign-in activity.
  • On Facebook – on desktop, click your profile picture (top right), then go to Settings & privacy > Settings > Password and security, and check Where you’re logged in. On mobile, tap the menu (three lines), then go to Settings & privacy > Accounts Centre > Password and security > Where you’re logged in.

If you do spot an unknown device or suspicious login attempt, change your password immediately and log your account out of any devices you don’t recognise.

4. Secure your account

Even if you don’t see any suspicious activity, it’s worth taking a few steps to strengthen your account security.

We suggest starting by ensuring your passwords are strong and unique. Avoid reusing passwords across different sites, as this makes it easier for attackers to gain access if your details are exposed in a data breach. See how to create secure passwords for more help.

Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) if it’s available. Once enabled, it makes your accounts much harder to access without permission by requiring a second step when you sign in, such as entering a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app. It’s also worth reviewing your account recovery settings, such as backup email addresses and phone numbers, to make sure they haven’t been changed without your knowledge.

If your account is protected with a strong password and 2FA, and you can’t see any unusual activity, it’s usually safe to ignore a one-off password reset email. However, repeated requests could indicate someone is trying to access your account, so it’s worth keeping an eye on things.

How to add videos to Google slides

From your Google photos

Google have not made it straightforward to insert your videos into a Google slides presentation, follow these steps:

  1. Add a new slide to your presentation
  2. Click on the slide and click ‘insert’ and ‘video’
  3. Now you will see the YouTube logo
  4. Click on the Google Drive tab, however this just shows your files on Google drive and not any photos/videos stored in Google photos
  5. Go to Google photos and find your videos
  6. Select the ones required by clicking the tick box on each video
  7. Now click the 3 dots on the top right and click ‘download’
  8. This creates a zipped file in your downloads folder
  9. Double click on this folder then click ‘extract all’, you can specify a folder in a new location and give it a meaningful name
  10. Now go to Google Drive, click on ‘new’ and ‘folder upload’
  11. Navigate to the folder you just created and click ‘upload’
  12. Once uploaded your videos will appear on Google Drive
  13. Now if you refresh your insert video screen on the presentation you will be able to select your video
  14. Click insert and the video will be inserted into your slide

5 things every smartphone owner should do

to keep their data safe

by Tom Morgan

It’s important to keep your personal data hidden from prying eyes – here is how you can help secure a device in minutes

1. Check for security updates

Make sure your phone is running the latest security update. This protects you against vulnerabilities in the operating system (OS) that hackers could take advantage of to steal your data (including passwords).

To check if your smartphone is up to date, follow these steps:

  • On iPhone – Open Settings and choose General. Tap About to see your iOS version. You can also choose Software update to check for updates.
  • On Android – Open the Settings app and look for an option that says About phone or similar. Tap it and look for Android version. From the main Settings screen, you can also find an Update option. On a Google Pixel, for example, the steps would be Settings > System > Software updates.

2. Set up Face Unlock / Fingerprint Unlock

You can set up a new smartphone without implementing any security measures to unlock it. That’s a very risky decision, though, as anybody with access to your phone could load up apps, make calls and transfer files to other devices.

If your phone doesn’t have any additional unlock protection, get it added right away. Here’s how to do it:

  • On iPhone – To use Face ID (available on iPhone models without a Home button), you must set a password – so let’s start there. Go to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode.
  • On Android – Go to Settings > Security and privacy > Device unlock. Tap Screen lock, Fingerprint or Face.

3. Choose how long it takes for your phone to lock

By default, your phone display will eventually turn off when you stop using the device.

If you want to reduce the time it takes for this to happen, you can make adjustments in your settings menu. Just follow these steps:

  • On iPhone – Head to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock. Choose a length of time.
  • On Android – Choose Settings > Display > Screen timeout.

4. Enable the ‘Find my’ service

Both iOS and Android come with free ‘Find my’ services pre-installed – when enabled, you can virtually locate and control your phone to stop data from falling into the wrong hands. Setting it up now will give you some peace of mind moving forward.

To set up ‘Find my’ on your mobile, follow these steps:

  • On iPhone – Go to Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone. Activate Find My iPhone to locate, lock or erase the gadget remotely. To use Find My iPhone from your computer, head to icloud.com/find.
  • On Android – Navigate to Settings > Security and privacy > Device finders or Google > Security. You can also try typing ‘Find my’ in the Settings search bar. Select Find My Device and activate it. Go to Settings > Location and enable it. You can use this service from android.com/find.

5. Manage your notifications (and keep some private)

iPhone and Android mobiles will let you stop text from appearing within a lockscreen notification. You’ll still know that you’ve received a text, but you won’t be able to read the contents until you unlock your phone. In other words, people looking over at your screen won’t be able to read incoming messages.

Before you enable this feature, think of the pros and cons. It’s a plus in terms of security, but you won’t be able to see certain information at a glance.

To adjust notification settings for your default messaging app, follow these steps:

  • On iPhone – Go to Settings > Notifications > Messages. Select Show Previews and pick between Always, When Unlocked, or Never.
  • On Android – Open your Settings page, then select Display and touch > Lock screen > Notifications on lock screen.

How safe is online banking?

by Chiara Cavalglieri

I’ve never felt unsafe using online banking or mobile banking apps, despite many years spent researching threats.

Headlines about criminals using AI to create shockingly convincing impersonation scams or bypass ID checks make for sombre reading, but don’t forget banks have this technology at their disposal, too.

The shifting nature of cybercrime means the financial industry can never rest on its laurels, and our investigations repeatedly suggest there’s more than a little room for improvement. But, it’s been exciting to see anti-fraud tools launched by the likes of Monzo and Santander to keep customers safe. 

Criminals will always try to exploit multiple channels, such as social media, online ads, phone calls and texts to get at your money. We want companies in different sectors to share intelligence to better understand how they operate and prevent scams reaching consumers. 

You can do your bit too, by staying alert to phishing attempts, keeping software updated and making use of any security features offered by your bank or built in to your device. 

For ultimate security, bank at home on a secure private network, on a dedicated up-to-date browser used only for finances, and use antivirus on your computer. 

Is mobile banking safe?

The biggest threat to banking security comes from using a compromised device. And this applies whether you’re using a computer or a smartphone.

Although phones are more easily lost or stolen, you can mitigate the risk by registering for Google ‘Find My Device’ and Apple ‘Find My iPhone’ so that it can be located, locked and even wiped of data remotely if it’s lost or stolen.

It’s difficult to plant a keylogger in an Android or iOS device (software used to track every key you press and potentially steal usernames and passwords).

But mobile banking isn’t risk-free – fakes can turn up in app stores and malware does exist that specifically targets mobile phones. Always download apps from the official app stores as these are vetted by Apple and Google, and check the reviews carefully. 

Keep your software updated as manufacturers and app developers will usually release software updates which contain security patches and new security features.

Make use of any security features offered by your bank or built into your mobile phone:

  • Protect your mobile Add a unique Pin to your Sim card; register for Google’s Find My Device or Apple’s Find My iPhone; and disable preview notifications. These flash up messages even when your phone is locked. 
  • Instant card freezing All of the banks we tested let you temporarily block your card in-app without having to call or visit a branch, except The Co-operative Bank. 
  • Block remote payments If you bank with Barclays, Chase, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest, Santander, Starling, or TSB you can also block remote purchases made online, over the phone and by mail order. Many also let you freeze gambling and international transactions too.
  • Real-time notifications These notifications make it much easier and quicker to spot fraudulent transactions. High-street banks have followed suit, though some still a way behind the digital challenger banks.
  • Caller verification Barclays, Monzo and Starling currently offer security features designed to help you spot phone scammers at present. If someone calls claiming to be from Barclays, you can ask them to send a secure notification to your Barclays app via ‘app ID’. If you’re a Monzo or Starling customer, look for ‘call status’ warnings to see if someone from the bank is genuinely on the phone to you or not (Monzo shows this under its security settings, Starling within the payment screen). 

Willow AI Voice Dictation: The Next Evolution of Hands‑Free Writing

Willow has quickly become one of the most talked‑about AI dictation tools thanks to its accuracy, speed, and thoughtful design. Whether you’re drafting emails, writing long‑form content, or simply trying to work faster, Willow aims to make voice‑first computing feel effortless.

🌟 What Is Willow?

Willow is an AI‑powered voice dictation system available on iPhone, Mac, and across desktop apps, designed to let you write naturally by speaking. It automatically formats text, corrects grammar, removes filler words, and adapts to your personal speaking style.

  • The iOS keyboard version is praised for being one of the most accurate dictation apps available.
  • The desktop version offers fast, accurate transcription across any application, with real‑time formatting and noise filtering.
  • Thousands of users rely on Willow daily to replace up to 90% of their typing for emails, Slack messages, brainstorming, and more.

🔍 Key Features That Set Willow Apart


🎯 1. Exceptional Accuracy
Willow uses advanced AI to understand natural speech, even in noisy environments. Reviewers consistently highlight its high accuracy and reliability.


✨ 2. Automatic Formatting & Editing
Willow doesn’t just transcribe—it writes.

  • Adds punctuation as you speak
  • Fixes grammar errors
  • Removes filler words
  • Formats text based on context

This means your spoken thoughts become clean, structured writing instantly.


🧠 3. Learns Your Speaking Style
Willow adapts to:

  • Your vocabulary
  • Your tone
  • Your preferred phrasing

This personalization helps it handle technical jargon, names, and specialized terms with surprising accuracy.

🌍 4. Works Everywhere
Willow functions across all apps and websites, so you can dictate:

  • Emails
  • Documents
  • Messages
  • Notes
  • AI prompts
    No copying and pasting required.

🔒 5. Strong Privacy
Unlike many AI tools, Willow emphasizes privacy:

  • Transcripts are stored locally on your device
  • You can opt out of model training
  • It holds privacy certifications that competitors lack
    This makes it appealing for professionals handling sensitive information.

    🌐 6. Multilingual Support
    Willow supports 10+ languages, with ongoing improvements to multilingual dictation accuracy.

    🏁 Final Thoughts


    Willow represents a major leap forward in voice‑first productivity. With its blend of accuracy, contextual intelligence, and privacy‑first design, it’s redefining what dictation software can do. For anyone looking to work faster, reduce typing strain, or simply capture ideas more naturally, Willow is one of the most impressive tools available today.

    This video provides an overview of the Willow AI voice typing app.

      What Is Artificial Intelligence?

      Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the science of creating machines that can perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. It’s already shaping industries from healthcare to entertainment, and its influence will only grow in the coming years.

      Artificial Intelligence refers to computer systems designed to mimic human cognitive functions. These include:

      • Reasoning: making decisions based on data.
      • Learning: improving performance over time through experience.
      • Perception: interpreting inputs like speech, images, or text.
      • Problem-solving: finding solutions to complex challenges.

      The term “AI” was first coined in 1955 by computer scientist John McCarthy, marking the start of serious research into intelligent machines.

      ⚙️ How Does AI Work?

      At the heart of AI are algorithms—sets of rules that guide machines in performing tasks. AI systems rely on large amounts of data to identify patterns and improve accuracy. Key techniques include:

      • Machine Learning (ML): Computers learn from data without explicit programming.
      • Neural Networks: Inspired by the human brain, these systems process information in layers.
      • Deep Learning: Advanced neural networks that excel at tasks like image recognition and natural language processing.

      🌍 Real-World Applications

      AI is no longer confined to labs—it’s everywhere:

      • Healthcare: Diagnosing diseases, predicting patient outcomes, and assisting in drug discovery.
      • Business: Automating customer service with chatbots, optimizing supply chains, and detecting fraud.
      • Transportation: Powering self-driving cars and smart traffic systems.
      • Entertainment: Recommending movies, generating music, and creating digital art.

      ⚖️ Benefits and Challenges

      • Benefits: Efficiency, accuracy, personalization, and the ability to handle massive data sets.
      • Challenges: Ethical concerns, job displacement, bias in algorithms, and debates over “general AI” (machines with human-level intelligence).

      ✨ Conclusion

      Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way we live and work, offering both opportunities and challenges. While today’s AI excels at specific tasks, researchers continue to pursue the vision of general AI—machines that can think and reason across domains like humans. For now, AI remains a powerful tool that, when used responsibly, can drive innovation and improve lives.

      Meta users exposed to 15 billion scam ads every day

      by Chiara Cavaglieri

      Documents from late 2024 reveal the shocking extent of malicious advertising on Meta platforms. These note that Meta users are exposed to an estimated 15 billion ‘higher risk’ scam ads a day, which are those that show clear signs of being fraudulent. Meta also pockets around $7bn in revenue from this category of scam ads each year. 

      Scammers are clearly willing to spend money upfront to entrap victims using online advertising platforms. Media research firm Fenimore Harper reported last year that rogue advertisers on Meta spent more than £21,000 on over 250 adverts in just one month for an investment scam campaign featuring deepfakes of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. 

      Clicking on just one malicious ad can also result in people being bombarded with more, because the leaked documents also note that Meta’s ad-personalisation system tries to deliver ads based on a user’s interests.

      How will Meta solve its scam problem?

      Meta later labelled its initial internal estimate (that it would earn 10.1% of its 2024 revenue from scams and other prohibited ads) as ‘rough and overly-inclusive’, though it declined to provide an updated figure. 

      Meta told us that reports from users about scam ads have declined by more than 50% in the past 15 months and, so far in 2025, Meta has removed more than 134 million pieces of scam ad content. 

      Meta said: ‘We aggressively fight fraud and scams because people on our platforms don’t want this content, legitimate advertisers don’t want it and we don’t want it either. Scammers are persistent criminals whose efforts, often driven by ruthless cross-border criminal networks that operate on a global scale, continue to grow in sophistication and complexity. As scam activity becomes more persistent and sophisticated, so do our efforts. 

      ‘Unfortunately, the leaked documents present a selective view that distorts Meta’s approach to fraud and scams by focusing on our efforts to assess the scale of the challenge, not the full range of actions we have taken to address the problem.’

      key information

      Three recent fraud tactics by Meta scammers

      Know these latest tactics used by scammers on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp:

      1. Discounts and ‘mystery boxes’ from big brands such as Lidl, Screwfix, Currys, B&Q and Boots are rife on Facebook. Scammers will use stolen brand images to offer fake competitions and deals, perhaps claiming that you only need to pay a small sum for postage, to trick you into entering your card details. Not only do you never receive the goods, but your card details could be stolen and you may be signed up for expensive monthly subscriptions. 
      2. Celebrity crypto deepfakes are still being spread far and wide by rogue investment advertisers on Facebook and Instagram. These scammers create doctored videos of famous faces such as Martin Lewis and fictitious BBC news stories to convince victims to invest – usually small sums at first, but things can quickly spiral. 
      3. Fake job offers can appear on any social media platform and online job boards, but reports suggest WhatsApp is a particularly popular avenue for recruitment scammers who claim to have lucrative opportunities for remote workers. One of the most prevalent is ‘task scams’, which promise commission if you complete a series of simple online tasks in your own time, such as liking videos, leaving reviews and completing surveys.

      Subscription traps: who are Howly and JustAnswer?

      The Hidden Costs of Online Q&A Services: What You Need to Know

      If you’ve ever searched online for help with a tech issue, a legal question, or customer service support, you may have come across websites like Howly or JustAnswer. They promise instant access to verified experts for a small fee—often just £1. But behind that tempting offer lies a subscription model that could quietly drain up to £50 from your account each month.

      What Are These Services?

      Howly and JustAnswer are online platforms that connect users with professionals across various fields—law, tech, healthcare, and more. They often appear at the top of search engine results, especially when you’re looking for help from companies like Apple, BT, or Virgin Media.

      The catch? That £1 fee is just the beginning. Unless you read the fine print, you might unknowingly sign up for a recurring monthly subscription.

      Real Stories from Real Users

      Several users have reported being misled by these services:

      • One man thought he was chatting with Aviva’s customer support. He paid £1 expecting a refund, only to discover a £24 charge from Howly. Thankfully, he caught it early and cancelled.
      • Another user believed she was speaking with Octopus Energy. After paying the initial fee, she was hit with a second charge and flagged by her bank for suspicious activity.
      • JustAnswer has similar complaints. One person thought they were speaking to a BT engineer, paid £1, and later found £35 missing from their account. Another assumed it was a free tech forum—until the charges appeared.

      How Do These Sites Reach You?

      These platforms often use paid ads to appear in search results. JustAnswer (based in the US) and Howly (promoted by Cyprus-based VHAPPS Limited) are verified advertisers on Google. Their ads sometimes mimic official support channels, using phrases like “Virgin Online Chat 24/7” or “Contact BT Customer Services.”

      On Bing, Howly ads have even outranked official websites for Apple, BT, and EE. It’s easy to see how someone in a hurry could mistake them for legitimate support.

      What Do the Tech Giants Say?

      Both Microsoft and Google have responded to concerns:

      • Microsoft says it’s investigating and will remove any ads that violate its misleading content policies.
      • Google insists it enforces strict advertising standards and continues to invest in technology to protect users.

      Why You Should Be Cautious

      While these services do disclose their pricing—eventually—it’s often buried in the payment process. Refunds may be possible through direct contact or by using chargeback protections via your bank. But the burden is on you to spot the charges and act quickly.

      When tested, both platforms failed to clearly identify themselves. In one case, JustAnswer’s chatbot claimed to be “Pearl Chatbot, Apple Technician’s Assistant”—a name that could easily mislead users into thinking they were speaking with Apple.

      Regulatory Oversight and Reviews

      The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority has received multiple complaints about JustAnswer and one about Howly. Though informal rulings led to ad changes, no formal investigations have taken place.

      On Trustpilot, JustAnswer has two profiles—one with mostly positive reviews, and another (my-secure.justanswer.co.uk) with 97% one-star ratings. Trustpilot has since closed the latter to new reviews and redirected users to the main profile.

      JustAnswer also operates another site, Chatwithtechsupport.co.uk, which currently holds a 100% one-star rating.

      Final Thoughts

      If you’re looking for expert advice online, be cautious. These services may offer convenience, but the cost can be steep—and not always transparent. Always double-check the website you’re on, read the fine print, and monitor your bank statements for unexpected charges.