NEED TO KNOW

How to avoid seasonal scams

FESTIVE JOBS SWINDLE

If you want to earn extra cash before Christmas by taking a seasonal job, make sure you don’t get scammed by fraudsters trying to steal your personal information or cash. You can spot dodgy ads if they’re poorly written, offer unrealistic salaries and ask you for money. Report jobs scams at jobsaware.co.uk/report-scam.

FAKE SHOPPING SITES

Watch out when you’re shopping online, warns cyber security firm F-secure. It says if you’re wary of a site, ask friends and family if they’ve used it and check reviews. But it also warns online reviews can be faked, ‘so if you see nothing but positive feedback and can’t tell if the writers are legit, follow your instincts’. In addition, check the website for a physical location and customer service details, and see if it responds to customer queries on social media.

DODGY DELIVERIES

Beware of fake texts about parcels. These often contain a link to a scam website that replicates a legitimate site, asking you to enter personal and financial information.***