Protect Your Patch – Fraud Prevention in the Allotment Community

Protect your Patch

We are proud to be supporting the Protect Your Patch campaign, launched by Take Five to Stop Fraud during National Allotments Week, helping individuals and communities stay safe by rooting out fraud and keeping personal information protected.

Just as criminals will dig for your details, rush you into action, and pressure you into making a snap decision, a neglected patch of ground can quickly become overrun if you don’t stay vigilant.

Fraudsters are constantly evolving their tactics – pretending to be trusted organisations, banks, or even the police – and they only need a small lapse in concentration to strike.
But by applying the same slow, observant, and community-minded approach we take to gardening, we can protect ourselves and others against these threats.

Take Five to Stop Fraud – The Ground Rules

If someone asks for personal or financial information, remember these three simple steps:

Stop – Pause and take a moment to think before giving out your money or information. That small moment of calm could stop a scam in its tracks.

Challenge – Ask yourself: Could this be fake?
It’s absolutely fine to refuse or ignore any unexpected request. Only criminals try to rush or pressure you.

Protect – If you think you may have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040).

Know Your Patch – Common Scam Types

Impersonation scams  – Fraudsters pretend to be someone you trust – a bank, delivery company, or government agency – and encourage you to move money or share personal details.

Investment scams  – Promises of “too good to miss” investment opportunities with high returns are designed to lure you in quickly and quietly.

Phishing and text scams  – Unexpected emails or texts asking you to click a link or pay a charge often lead to fake websites designed to steal your information.

Courier scams  – A criminal may call pretending to be your bank or the police and arrange for someone to collect your card or cash. Legitimate organisations will never ask you to do this.

Top Tips – Extra Protection for Your Patch

Stay alert after hanging up  – Did you know fraudsters can keep a phone line open for up to 30 seconds after you end the call? This allows them to remain on the line and pretend to be another organisation when you try to phone someone else. If you’re suspicious, wait at least 30 seconds and use another phone if possible.

Forward suspicious texts to 7726  – If you receive a message you think might be fraudulent, don’t respond. Forward it free of charge to 7726 so it can be investigated and blocked.

Don’t be rushed  – Criminals rely on panic. Take time, step back, and seek a second opinion before acting.

Never click unexpected links – Even if they appear to be from a delivery service, bank, or government department. Always use the official website or app instead.

Share knowledge – Just like swapping seeds and tips on the plot, talking openly about scams helps protect the whole community.

Strength of Allotment Communities

One of the greatest strengths of the allotment community is our willingness to look out for one another. Together, we can make sure our finances and personal details remain as safe and well-tended as our plots.

For more information, watch the webinar recording by Catriona Still from UK Finance, which was run especially for allotment holders.

Let’s continue to protect our patches  – in the garden and in our everyday lives.

Stay calm, stay aware, and stay connected.

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