In the first half of 2024 over £570 million was stolen by criminals through fraud. UK Finance’s Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign is warning those who speak English as a second language (ESL) to stay alert to fraudulent requests for their money and personal information.

Research by the Take Five campaign reveals that three quarters (73 per cent) of people who speak English as a second language have faced criminals trying to trick them into sharing their financial or personal information in 2024.

Take Five’s core message is to “Stop, Challenge, and Protect” when asked for your money or information. The public are encouraged to pause before making decisions, challenge suspicious communications, and protect themselves and others by reporting any fraud to their bank.