Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has warned the public there is an "epidemic of scams" plaguing the UK, as an ICU nurse was scammed out of £8,000 in a sophisticated con.
Nurse Beth from Leicester had her car written off after someone crashed into the back of her, as she was returning home from a shift.
Following the accident, Beth was called by a scammer, claiming to be from her bank, asking her to "secure" the money she had in her account - reports Wales Online.
Beth spoke to Martin Lewis on his slot on This Morning and said: "I was completely convinced it was the bank, I wasn't thinking straight when I took the call and panicked, because there was a large sum of money in my account.
"I fell for an authorised push payment scam, and I've lost about £8,000, which the bank said I'm libel for and they can't refund me."
Martin was visibly moved by Beth's story and said: "I'm so sorry to hear that Beth.
"Look, this is very common, I do have some information for you, but just to say to everybody watching, this is a common scam right now.
"You may get a call from someone reporting to be from your bank, you may get a call from someone proposing to be from the police or a security service, a trusted person, or even from my organisation.
"They'll be telling you something like your bank has been hijacked, the bank staff are in on it, don't tell the bank staff, look, anyone asking you to push up money urgently, banks will not call you and do that.
"It is not going to happen, they're not going to ask you to make payments in that way with your account details."
He went on to explain how if you have had a voice call on your phone with a suspected scammer, you should call your bank on another phone to check with them it's a legitimate call.
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He said: "Never stay on the phone with someone reporting to be from your bank, wanting you to move money, change account details or something like that.
"This is rife. We have an epidemic of scams and Beth is an example of how terrible it can be."
Martin then revealed how Beth could possibly get some of her money back from speaking to the Financial Ombudsman.
Martin said : "You should get some or all of your money back, so this is what I want you to do.
"The bank has said no. You need to make a formal complaint to the Financial Ombudsman service, the independent adjudicator of financial complaints.
"I know it's seeing many of these complaints and I know on a number of occasions it is overturning the banks and saying the banks do need to pay.
"Tell them what you've told me, explain what's happened, there's a form, you can do it online or call up the ombudsman service and make that complaint."
Martin also suggested Beth should let her bank know she's seeking advice from the Financial Ombudsman, as they could change their minds and settle as a result of incurring fees, he said: "One thing I would do is indicate to them (the bank) and let them know you're going to the ombudsman because it costs them if you go to the ombudsman and if they think they may lose when they go to the ombudsman, they may well settle earlier."
This Morning returns at 10am on ITV every weekday morning and The Martin Lewis Money Show returns tonight at 8pm on ITV.
