12 Scams of Christmas...
Be scam aware this Christmas. Shoppers were conned out of £15.4m online last Christmas. The Public Protection Partnership’s Trading Standards Service has 12 scams for you to watch out for this Christmas.
Scam one - Counterfeit Goods
Carry out research before purchasing from sellers you are not familiar with. Be suspicious of ‘pop up shops’ that appear online and on the high street at this time of year selling products offered at prices far below competitors. Chances are they are counterfeit or an attempt to steal your money and banking information.
Scam two – Unsafe Toys
48% of toys tested from online marketplace sellers had serious safety failures. 86% were illegal to sell in the UK. Check you are buying from a licensed brand holder.
Scam three – Santa Scammers
A letter or email from Santa addressed directly to your child could be an attempt to steal your private data. Always double-check the source before you open it.
Scam four – Subscription Trap
This scam offers a free gift or trial offer. If you pay postage and packaging to receive the ‘gift’ beware as you may, without realising it, set up a Continuous Payment Authority (CPA) allowing the company to take any amount out of your bank account at any time.
Scam five – Bogus Charities
Fake charities prey on our feeling of good will at this time of year and their marketing can be very convincing. Before signing up to a charity, do some research to make sure the marketing you have received is genuine.
Scam six – Phishing Scams
Watch out for fake shipping notifications and bank account warnings. Never click on attachments or links in unsolicited emails or texts.
Scam seven – E-season Greetings Card
Be very careful when sending these as they may contain malware that reads your address book and can even find your credit card details and bank details if these are stored on your computer.
Scam eight – Shipping/ Pacel Delivery Scams
Presents have been ordered to be delivered you your home address. You come to a ‘we tried to deliver your parcel please call the number below to rearrange delivery or collection.’ Be very carful to check it is genuine as fake delivery attempt cards are delivered by scammers this time of year. The phone number you are asked to call is a very high premium rate telephone number. You could run up a phone bill of hundreds of pounds waiting for someone to answer.
Scam nine – Romance Scams
Scammers come across as caring and romantic as they try to take advantage of your heart and wallet. Never send money or gifts to a sweetheart you haven’t met in person.
Scam ten – Travel Scams
If you find seasonal travel deals online that seem too good to be true – they probably are. Scammers are waiting for you to click the offer link and start infecting your computer to obtain your credit card details. Use trusted online travel agents.
Scam eleven – Family Emergency Scam
This scam sends false distress messages to friends and family. Never send money without asking the ‘friend or family member’ a question that only that person could answer.
Scam twelve – Bogus Gift Cards
Gift cards are ideal for that hard-to-buy for person but be very aware of buying these online as gift cards are easy to fake and could cause embarrassment to your friends and family when they try and use them if they are fakes.
To find out more contact Trading Standards on 01635 519930 or at tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk
You can also call Citizen Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506 to report a scam.
