A free, printable guide to five common crypto scams that UK police, banks and the FCA warn about, written in plain English for people who don't follow crypto. Use it at home, in a lesson, in a staff room or on a noticeboard. No email address, no account and no wallet needed.
12 pages, A4, about 0.5 MB. Free to print and share for non-commercial use, as long as our name stays on it.
What's inside
- The five scams, one page each: romance and "pig butchering", fake investment platforms, impersonation (fake banks, police, support and clone firms), recovery scams, and fake airdrops and wallet drainers. Each page shows how the scam usually goes, the warning signs and what to do.
- The warning signs, all in one place: ten signs that show up across all five scams.
- A one-page checklist to print and pin up: "Before you send money or crypto, or sign anything".
- What to do and where to report in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with the current phone numbers and websites.
- A page for teens on memecoin hype: how it's made, who usually makes the money, and three questions to ask.
- Openers for a conversation, and what to do if someone tells you they've been caught out.
Every fact is checked against official UK sources, including the FCA, UK Finance, City of London Police and HMRC, and the sources are listed in the pack. The memecoin figures come from our own records, as of 24 October 2026.
Who it's for
- Parents and carers who want to talk to a teenager about crypto without a lecture.
- Teachers and PSHE leads looking for a lesson starter or a printed handout on online money scams.
- Employers, HR and finance teams who want a simple scam briefing for staff.
- Anyone helping an older relative who has started getting crypto adverts or calls.
The five scams in one line each
| Scam | The tell |
|---|---|
| Romance and pig butchering | A new online friend introduces a "platform" and you have to pay to withdraw |
| Fake investment platforms | An advert or "account manager" promises returns that sound unrealistic |
| Impersonation | Someone you trust "calls" and asks you to move money or share your seed phrase |
| Recovery scams | After a loss, someone offers to get your money back for a fee |
| Fake airdrops and wallet drainers | Free tokens or a "claim" link lead to one signature that empties a wallet |
If it's already happened
Don't wait to finish the pack. Stop paying, call your bank on 159 if you paid by bank transfer or card, and report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland on 101. If a memecoin you held has just collapsed, our Rugged? What to do now page walks through the next steps, and our guide to crypto recovery scams explains the second scam that often follows.
Common questions
Is it really free?
Yes. There's nothing to sign up for and nothing to buy. Before It Rugs is a free UK website, and this pack is part of that.
Can I print copies for my school or workplace?
Yes. Print as many as you like and share the PDF for non-commercial use. Please don't sell it or remove our name.
Is it about one coin or company?
No. It describes patterns that the FCA, the police and banks warn about. It doesn't name or accuse any person or firm, and it doesn't recommend any coin, app or exchange.
Will it be updated?
Yes. Phone numbers, services and scams change. When they do, we update the pack, and the download link always gives you the latest edition.
This pack is information, not financial advice. It doesn't tell anyone to buy, sell or hold anything. Crypto is high risk, and memecoins are extremely high risk: most go to zero.