Spot the scammers this festive season

It's that wonderful time of year again, but it’s also a time when scammers are looking to take advantage. We want to help you keep the festive cheer and avoid falling victim to fraudsters this Christmas.

The 12 scams of Christmas

To make sure you have a joyful and scam-free holiday, we’ve put together a list of the '12 Scams of Christmas' for you to watch out for:

1. Unsafe Christmas gifts – Beware of dangerous toys and electrical goods like phone chargers that don’t comply with UK safety laws. These items, often counterfeit, can be hazardous and may even fund crime. Always buy from reputable retailers and keep your receipts. Avoid purchasing items from people selling goods in bin liners claiming overstocked items
2. Counterfeit gift cards – Fake gift cards are prevalent online, especially during the festive season. To avoid being scammed, only buy gift cards from recognised retailers or their official websites
3. Subscription set-up – Be cautious of free gifts or trial offers that ask for your bank details, even for postage fees. These can lead to setting up a Continuous Payment Authority (CPA), allowing the firm to withdraw any amount from your account at any time
4. Credit and debit card fraud – This can include misrepresented products, non-delivery of items, fake brokerage, or fraudulent payments through services like PayPal. Watch out for fake websites that pretend to be genuine companies
5. Fake charities – During the season of goodwill, ensure your donations go to real charities. Check the email header or hover over links to see if they lead to a legitimate website. If you want to help during the festive period, learn how you can support others during the cost of living crisis
6. Pop-up shops – Be wary of online pop-up shops that promise delivery by Christmas but disappear after taking your money. Exercise caution with high street pop-ups as well, as they may sell counterfeit or faulty items
7.  Loan scams – With rising prices and Christmas expenses, scammers may offer unsecured loans via unsolicited texts or calls, often charging large upfront fees for no service. If you’re struggling financially, find out what support you could be entitled to
8. E-season greeting cards – Online festive greetings can sometimes carry malware that steals your credit card and bank details. Be careful when opening and sending these e-cards
9. Counterfeit and illicit alcohol and tobacco – Fake alcoholic drinks can contain dangerous chemicals, and illegal cigarettes may have harmful substances like arsenic and rat poison so you should only purchase from reputable sources
10. Phishing emails – Fraudsters send emails that look genuine but contain links to fake sites or malware. Always double-check the sender and think twice before clicking any links
11. Scam ticket – Some websites sell non-existent tickets for events, leaving you out of pocket and unable to attend. Ensure you buy tickets from trusted sources
12. Slimming or miracle cure scams - Fraudulent health products, like miracle cures and weight loss items, are often untested and can be dangerous. Be wary of false testimonials and unverified claims

Take action against scams

If you find yourself a victim of a scam, don’t be embarrassed – scammers are cunning and it's important to take action.

You should:

• Report the scam immediately to the relevant authorities to help prevent others from being deceived
• Protect your banking and personal details by notifying your bank and changing any compromised passwords
• Seek independent or legal advice to understand your options and any steps you can take to mitigate the damage

Remember, by reporting the scam, you help make it harder for scammers to target others.

For more information and to report fraud, go to Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040.

Stay vigilant this festive season and keep these scams in mind to have a safe and scam-free holiday!