12scamsofChristmas.. andhowtoavoidthem
EVERYONE is busy over the festive season. Unfortunately, this includes scammers and fraudsters who love to take advantage of our divided attention to part us from our hard-earned cash.
According to scam reporting website bogusbuster.org, fraud is the most committed crime in the UK, with almost 1000 scams recorded daily. It cost the UK £1.2billion in 2018.
Here are the 12 most common scams to watch out for this Christmas.
CHARITY
In among legitimate appeals there are also scammers posing as charities trying to rip you off. Be cautious i f yo u re c e i ve suspicious emails or phone call s . Approach charities directly if you want to make a donation.
CARDS
Watch out for fraudulent e-cards sent via email. They
Watch out for these acts of deception by heartless criminals who will happily rip you off in the season of goodwill
might look lovely but if you click the link the malicious software will steal your sensitive information.
TRAVEL GIFTS
A future mini-break makes a fantastic present and helps support the travel industry. But watch out for non-existent accommodation offers and fake travel vouchers online. Check guest re v i e w s on al l accommodation and vouchers before pressing pay.
LOTTERY WINS
Have you won a lottery you don’t recall buying a ticket for? If so, it’s probably a scammer trying to steal your personal i nformation or convince you to pay a fee to receive a prize which doesn’t exist.
WEIGHT LOSS
Many fake weight loss programmes are advertised on websites or via email. These products usually claim rapid results without the need for dietary restrictions or exercise. Sound too good to be true? That’s because they are.
ONLINE MARKETPLACES
Amazon and other marketplace websites can be very convenient with so many products in one place, especially in the Christmas rush – but there can still be scam sellers on there. Beware if a seller isn’t responsive, has bad or no reviews or asks you to continue the transaction away from the site.
SOCIAL MEDIA SURVEYS
These trick you into giving out personal details in return for vouchers or free products which will probably never arrive. Block and report any that you find.
ROMANCE
Christmas can be a tough time to be alone and scammers take advantage of this to target those on dating websites. Beware if someone you have just met online asks you for money or information that could be used for identity fraud.
TV LICENCE RENEWAL
The end of the year might mean it’s time to renew your TV licence. Scammers understand this and send emails asking for urgent payment or personal information. When you receive an email to renew your TV licence, make sure the email address looks genuine and the email is specifically addressed to your name. Report any emails to report@phishing. gov.uk if they seem suspicious.