NatWest customers being warned to be on their guard against scammers

NatWest customers are being warned to be on their guard against scammers in the coming weeks as it rolls out new debit cards. 

The bank is switching all its debit cards from Visa to Mastercard and has been writing to customers that their ‘shiny new card will be with you soon, so look out for it in the post’. However, it is warning customers that scammers like to take advantage of such changes and advises they stay on the lookout. 

‘Scammers like it when people get new cards, so always look out for unexpected phone calls, texts or emails from anyone claiming to be from the bank,’ it says. NatWest says the change to Mastercard will not affect customers’ accounts, and their PIN codes will stay the same. 

However, it advises customers to update their card details where they are used for recurring payments, such as subscriptions and phone plans. The warning comes as fresh bank data reveals that people aged 21 to 30 are the most likely age group to fall victim to scams. 

People in this group are almost four times as likely to be a victim than those aged over 70, the study by Barclays found. Most scams take place on technology platforms such as social media websites and shopping sites, which makes young people who use them frequently particularly susceptible, according to Barclays. 

Ross Martin, head of digital safety at Barclays, says: ‘Many people picture an elderly person when they think of a scam victim, and whilst older people are more likely to fall for higher-value scams, the most common type are where people are tricked into buying something they never receive.’