With Christmas shopping in full swing and the January sales looming, our bank accounts and credit cards take a big hit at this time of year.
And cyber criminals are never busier — with many common online scams targeting stressed out consumers navigating the December buying frenzy.
Sarah Smith, director of marketing and operations at ReformIT in Cheltenham, said: 'Due to Christmas being such a busy shopping time, consumers need to be even more mindful of what's coming out of their bank accounts — with vigilance and regular monitoring of your finances key to staying safe.'
What are the most common scams at Christmas?
There are numerous scams in circulation at this time of year, but Sarah highlights some of the biggest ones to look out for:
Fake online shops: 'Scammers set up fake websites offering unbelievable deals on popular gifts. These sites often steal your money or personal information.'
Delivery scams: 'You might receive fake texts or emails claiming to be from courier companies, asking you to pay a fee or provide details to deliver a package.'
Gift card scams: 'Fraudsters may pressure you into paying for something with a gift card which you would have to buy from them, often claiming it’s the only method of payment they accept.'
Charity scams: 'During the season of giving, scammers create fake charities to trick you into donating money.'
Social media scams: 'Posts or messages offering competitions, giveaways or discounts may be designed to steal your personal details.'
What can shoppers do to protect themselves?
While being aware of potential cyber trickery is key to keeping yourself alert to fraud, Sarah does suggest that there are some simple but very effective ways to stay safe online.
Shop on trusted websites: 'Stick to well-known stores or sites you’ve used before. Check for 'https' at the beginning of the url and look for a padlock symbol in the address bar.'
Beware of deals that look too good to be true: 'If the price seems unrealistically low, it probably is!'
Avoid clicking links in emails or texts that don't seem right: 'Cyber scammers often send fake messages pretending to be retailers or delivery companies — go directly to the official website instead.'
Use strong, unique passwords: 'Use a password manager to create and store strong passwords for online accounts and try not to use the same password across multiple sites.'
Pay with a credit card: 'Credit cards often offer better fraud protection than debit cards and can be easier to claim refunds from.'
What to do if you are hit by a scam
If the worst case scenario does unfortunately happen, and you do get targeted by a cyber criminal, Sarah advises not to panic but to follow some simple steps.
Stop and think before you share any details: 'If something feels off, pause before taking action. If you suspect a scam, don’t provide personal details or send money — trust your gut instinct.'
Contact your bank: 'If you’ve made a payment, call your bank immediately to report the scam and see if they can reverse the transaction.'
Report the scam: 'Notify Action Fraud and provide as many details as possible — you can also report it to the police on the non-emergency line and get an incident number.'
Change your passwords: 'If you’ve shared login details, update your passwords immediately.'
Think about seeking professional support: 'If your devices or accounts have been compromised, a trusted IT provider can help secure them and prevent further damage.'
