BBC SCAM SAFE WEEK RETURNS FOR 2024, PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS REVEALED

Following the success of last year’s inaugural initiative, BBC Scam Safe is back. Starting on 23 November, Scam Safe week will feature content from across the BBC including TV, radio, iPlayer, Sounds and online.

Scam Interceptors

The 2024 TV-BAFTA winning series Scam Interceptors will release its latest run of episodes. Hosts Rav Wilding and Nick Stapleton join up with ethical hacker Jim Browning as they continue to hold unscrupulous scammers to account from Scam Interceptors HQ in Glasgow.

These brand-new episodes will showcase the team’s sophisticated strategies to intercept scam calls. And if they can’t reach the victim by phone, the Ground Interceptor team are on hand ready to drive direct to their homes to stop the scam in person.

Morning Live

Morning Live will have a full schedule of scam-related content, including being live from the Scam Safe Roadshow across the UK each day. New for 2024 and held in venues from Cardiff to Cumbria, The Scam Safe Roadshow is a collaboration between Morning Live and BBC Local radio aiming to provide answers to audience members’ questions about scams they’ve seen, been caught out by.

Sunday Morning Live

In the last episode of their current series Sunday Morning Live will take a look at the way scammers target people's core values and beliefs with some tips on how to avoid being scammed.

The One Show

Watchdog on The One Show, will see Nikki Fox investigate a new type of sim card fraud, which sees scammers taking control of your mobile number without your permission, enabling them to unlock all kinds of aspects of your online life.

Elsewhere across the week the team will be speaking to some well-known faces who have been tricked by a scam, while also providing empowering tips and guidance on how to stay safe.

Rip Off Britain

The Rip Off Britain team will be back with Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville, set to tackle the most pressing scam issues. Special episodes across the week will cover scams such as fake missing person ads and cheque fraud. 

The team will uncover disturbing cases, including eBay scammers holding a man to ransom, the misuse of cookies by fraudsters, and a shocking story of a house being put up for sale without the owner knowing anything about it.

Bargain Hunt

A Bargain Hunt episode on Monday November 25, will focus on how to spot fake football memorabilia. Christina Trevanion meets a specialist collector of footballing souvenirs, who helps her to spot the difference between genuine and replica 1966 World Cup matchday programmes.

Countryfile

The week's episode of Countryfile investigates the threat to the farming community from invoice fraud. The programme delves into how criminals are impersonating legitimate businesses to defraud farmers of substantial sums, with one Scottish farmer sharing his experience of losing £30,000 to the scam. A rural insurance specialist will also provide insight into the rising number of cases he’s seeing affecting farmers.

EastEnders

EastEnders will focus an upcoming storyline on scams as Walford’s Jean Slater is duped by fraudsters staging an elaborate investment con. The storyline will raise awareness of how scammers use plausible narratives to convince people to part with personal information and money.

BBC Three

A host of scam related titles from the BBC3 archive will be available across iPlayer during the week including Confessions of a Teenage Fraudster, Hunting the Catfish Crime Gang and Scam Land: Money, Mayhem and Maseratis.

The BBC’s Chief Content Officer, Charlotte Moore says: “With fraud now making up over 40% of all crime in the UK, raising public awareness is more important than ever and we’ve created a whole week where the BBC can be a one-stop shop for information, interaction and audiences can immerse themselves in all things scams.”

“At the BBC, we lead the fight against disinformation, driven by our unwavering commitment to seeking the truth. Our dedicated week-long initiative will bring together efforts from across the BBC to provide people with the tools they need to protect themselves and start that national conversation. With our expertise and diverse platforms, we are uniquely positioned to engage and empower audiences against getting deceived by scams.”

More details will be announced in due course.