How do I know if something is fake?

“Fraudsters often impersonate email addresses or set up fake websites that mimic the look and feel of big brands in the hope that we’ll part with our personal information or money,” says Laura Flack

Look for the padlocks.

There are clues to look out for that indicate when something’s not right: “When shopping online, look for the ‘https’ in the web address and the padlock icon,” says Laura. “These indicate that the site is authentic and secure.” If you can’t see these, it’s probably not safe to continue.

Research the price.

“Look for the rrp of a product on sites you know are genuine,” says Laura. “Bogus bargains are an easy way to spot a scam, such as an advert or offer where the discount is significantly below the normal price. If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is!”

Check for a third-party accreditation.

This is very important when spotting holiday scams. “Make sure the company you are using is a member of a recognised travel authority that offers financial protection and a complaints service,” says Laura. “Verify whether a company is a member of ABTA or ATOL by checking online at www.abta.com

Check for phishing emails.

“When it comes to spotting a fake email, check that the address is legitimate and that it’s not been subtly altered,” says Laura. Hover over the display name which will show you the sender’s full email address. “Try to see if the email address has been changed from .co.uk to .org or if it has additional numbers, characters or words in it. Legitimate companies will start their emails with the customer’s name.” Poor spelling and grammar are also a giveaway.

Use approved payment options.

“Watch out for companies who only accept payment via bank transfer. Legitimate ones always accept credit and debit cards,” says Laura.