‘Tis the season to be – focused by festive fraud, in accordance with a warning from high-street financial institution, NatWest.
Almost a fifth of Brits (17%) declare they really feel extra focused by scammers within the run-up to Christmas – as they fall for merchandise being marketed at interesting, discounted costs. However, this stuff do probably not exist – and victims find yourself paying for issues that can by no means be delivered to them.
As such, the survey of two,000 adults discovered that just about half (44%) fear Christmas may very well be ruined by such cons – which noticed a 41% improve within the variety of victims over the past 4 months of 2022.
The analysis was commissioned by NatWest, which has additionally created a brand new board sport, “All Mod Cons”, difficult gamers to carry on to their money as they make their manner across the board, whereas dodging the fashionable scams they encounter alongside the best way.
Participants are then inspired to debate and equip themselves with essential details about detect, keep away from, and report the completely different sorts of scams.
The sport, which is out there to play in chosen branches of the financial institution from December 1, has been examined by TV presenter, Jeff Brazier, and his son, Freddie.
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Jeff Brazier stated: “My favourite part of Christmas is spending time with family – amidst the holiday hustle and financial pressures, it’s important to have open conversations with your loved ones about recognising scams, and staying vigilant against them.
“Christmas is the season of giving, and the most valuable gift I can give my family is the knowledge of how to safeguard themselves from scams, and to help ensure their financial security.
“NatWest’s “All Mod Cons” marketing campaign is all about elevating consciousness of the various kinds of scams, and sparking these all-important conversations.
“The board game itself is the perfect way to combine the Christmas tradition of playing board games with loved ones, while offering a fun way to learn about fraud and scam prevention.”
The analysis additionally discovered 37% have been focused by phishing scams – the place they obtain pretend emails, calls, or messages from what appears to be a authentic supply, asking them to offer private or monetary data.
Impersonation scams (21%) are additionally frequent, when fraudsters get in touch pretending to be a trusted organisation, reminiscent of HMRC. And 13% have fallen foul of refund fraud, which sees criminals impersonate an organisation, claiming the goal is due a refund, and asking for private data.
Other widespread cons noticed within the final 12 months included romance scams, crypto refund swindles, and get-rich-quick schemes.
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But 42% admit they both not often, or by no means, talk about fraud and monetary scams at residence – but 73% consider doing so would assist them keep away from falling sufferer to at least one, whereas 69% consider it can assist individuals grow to be extra clued-up on new scams doing the rounds.
However, 25% would really feel uncomfortable confiding of their household if they’d been scammed and misplaced cash. Despite the complexity and subtlety of scams bettering, 57% of those that have been scammed, blamed themselves, whereas 52% felt embarrassed.
It additionally emerged 35% know somebody who has fallen sufferer to a monetary rip-off – and, of those that have, 36% stated it had triggered them to fret about their funds.
Stuart Skinner, fraud knowledgeable from NatWest, stated: “The festive season is a time to spend with family having fun – but the fun can quickly end if one of you is hit by a scam.
“Our “All Mod Cons” marketing campaign has been created to assist improve data of scams, by getting individuals speaking and studying about them, which is a serious step in combatting them.
“Of course, it’s concerning to see the modern developments from scammers to con people out of their money. However, your bank is continually working to stay on top of the latest developments, and keep you safe.”