The twelve scams of Christmas

The festive season is prime time for fraudsters to strike, with Action Fraud recording 16,000 reports of online shopping fraud last year.¹

Research from UK finance also shows a 17% increase in scams between January and June this year, as scams become more sophisticated, driven by the rise of artificial intelligence.² The festive rush can make us all less cautious, which is why scammers take advantage.

From fake delivery texts to bogus charity appeals and deals that seem too good to be true, staying alert is key. Before sharing personal details on an unfamiliar site, take a few minutes to check its credentials and read independent reviews.

If possible, use a credit card for online purchases. Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, you’ll have extra protection for transactions between £100 and £30,000.

If something goes wrong – whether the goods never arrive or the retailer turns out to be fraudulent – your credit card provider can be held jointly liable with the seller.

This means you can claim directly from your card company, even if the retailer has disappeared. It’s a simple but powerful safeguard that can make all the difference if you’re caught out by a scam.

The 12 scams of Christmas – and how to avoid them

1. The Double Bluff

Fraudsters often target victims more than once. They often pose as ‘specialist recovery services’, promising to get your money, but only if you pay an upfront fee and hand over personal details.

This is a scam on top of a scam.  A legitimate organisation will never ask for money to recover funds, so if someone does, walk away immediately.

Protect yourself by doing your research and never share sensitive information unless you’re 100% sure who you’re dealing with.

2. The Captcha Con

A genuine CAPTCHA is simple – it might ask you to tick a box or identify a few images.

Fraudsters, however, create fake CAPTCHA screens designed to trick you into downloading software or sharing personal details under the guise of ‘verifying’ your identity.

A  real CAPTCHA will never ask for personal information. If it does, click away immediately and avoid giving scammers a way in.

3. Don’t fall for lookalike links

Fraudsters often use lookalike web addresses – for example, swapping letters for numbers like ‘amaz0n.com’ – to trick people into sharing passwords or card details.

These messages look slick, professional, and convincingly urgent, which is why it’s vital to pause before you click.

Always check the sender and URL carefully.  If something feels off, don’t click the link – instead, log in through the official website to stay safe.

4. Urgent text from your child? Pause before you pay

Messages from unknown numbers claiming to be your child are designed to cause panic and pressure you into acting fast. Fraudsters often say that their phone is broken and ask for money to fix an urgent problem. 

Before you respond or send any cash, stop and verify. Always call your child on their usual number or another trusted contact to confirm the message.

If you can’t reach them, don’t transfer any money, it’s likely a scam.

5. AI Voice impersonation: don’t trust what you hear

Technology has made impersonation scams more convincing than ever. Criminals can now clone voices to sound exactly like a loved one in distress, making it harder to spot the red flags. If you get a call asking for urgent money, pause and verify before acting. 

Agreeing a family ‘safe word’ in advance is a smart way to confirm identity and can help you spot a scam instantly. No matter how real it sounds, never transfer funds without confirming through a trusted channel.

6. Waiting on a parcel? Watch out for fake fees

With millions waiting on parcels, fraudsters are taking advantage by posing  as delivery companies claiming a package is being held due to unpaid fees.

These messages often include a link asking for payment, but delivery firms will never request money via text.

If you’re unsure, don’t click the link. Instead, go directly to the courier’s official website to check your delivery status and stay safe.

7. Give with confidence: avoid phoney charity appeals

Fraudsters exploit festive generosity by impersonating charities , often tugging at heartstrings with stories about sick children or abandoned animals. 

Before donating, take a moment to check the Charity Commission to confirm the organisation is genuine. And for extra protection, use a credit card rather than a bank transfer – it offers stronger safeguards if something goes wrong.

8. Social media giveaways

Social media is full of festive giveaways, but fraudsters use these posts to lure people into sharing personal details or paying ‘release fees’ for prizes that don’t exist. A genuine competition will never ask for payment or sensitive information.

If you’re contacted by an account claiming you’ve won, check that it’s verified and avoid clicking on suspicious links.

9. Gift card grabbers

Gift cards are a Christmas favourite – and sadly, for scammers too. 

Fraudsters tamper with cards on shop shelves, copying numbers and security codes. Once the card is activated at the till,  they drain the balance instantly. To stay safe, choose gift cards kept behind the counter and always check the packaging for signs of tampering before you buy.

10. Don’t let fake tickets ruin your Christmas plans

From winter wonderlands to Santa grottos, fake or duplicated tickets are a popular scam over the festive season - especially on social media or unofficial resale sites.

Always buy direct from the venue or trusted sellers to avoid disappointment.

11. Looking for festive work? Avoid these traps

Seasonal job adverts for warehouse shifts, retail roles or delivery work can look convincing, but fraudsters often use them to demand upfront ‘registration’ or ‘uniform’ fees.

Genuine employers never ask for upfront fees for registration or uniforms before you start work.

If you’re asked to pay, it’s a red flag – stop and verify the company through official channels before handing over any cash.

12. Stay savvy when buying pre-loved gifts

Second-hand shopping can be a brilliant way to save money at Christmas, but it’s also a hotspot for fraud. 

Scammers may lure you in with a bargain, then disappear as soon as the payment clears – or pressure you with false claims to send money off-platform. 

To protect yourself, keep all communication and payments within the platform and, when possible,  use a credit card for extra protection.

<sup>Sources 
1. ncsc.gov.uk
2. UK Finance Annual 2024 Fraud Report</sup>