Tis the season to be scammed!

Christmas really is a wonderful time of the year – and at A-Plan, we would like to help you keep it that way! We know that our clients would much rather focus on the build up to the ‘big day’ – but it’s important to stay savvy about scammers at this time of year – all the way up to the ‘big day’.

As explained best by Francis West, CEO and cyber expert of Security Everywhere, “Scammers know that we are distracted by Christmas shopping, budgets and inflation, wrapping and decorating, organising things to do during the holiday time… which is great for them. Our guard is down, and that is the time that the scammer strikes.”

Be smart when Christmas shopping online

Here are some of the biggest scams to fend off as Christmas shopping commences:

Copycat or entirely fake Christmas websites

Within the first week of December 2021, antivirus firm Trend Micro found 18,257 fake Christmas shopping sites. One site was even designed to look like Etsy, but called ‘Etsy-craft’, while previous years saw an authentic looking Pandora site sell completely fake Pandora jewellery at a fake 70% discount. Yes, ‘tis the season to be scammed.

It’s not like any of us go looking for these sites. However, scammers are looking for us. At this time of year, they are actively sending out phishing emails, publishing false websites, or advertising fake discounts or voucher codes to draw you in.

Ongoing supply chain issues blighting our supermarkets are likely to add more panic to the festive season. But be warned, the scammers are already well ahead of the game.

They are waiting for you to find their fake websites, offering you exactly what you cannot get hold of elsewhere. Whether you receive the item or not, you’ll be in for disappointment. If you are lucky enough to receive something, it is likely to be fake. Always thoroughly check any gifts that do arrive.

If you aren’t sure, as in the case with the Pandora scam, pop into a branch and ask them to check it for you. In the case of a branded toy, pop to your local toy shop to check if you aren’t sure – safety is paramount.

If you receive any anonymous discounts – ones where you will need to click a link – play it safe and delete the text, message or email. Also, use a reputable anti-virus product on your laptop, make sure its regularly updated and always turned on.

Fake Christmas social media ads

Another way scammers lure you to a fake website is via social media. An advert for a lovely gift idea appears in your feed, or maybe a ‘letter from Santa’ scheme. It appears to be from a lovely small business who are also going to support a charity, or it appears to be a larger company, maybe even one you know, and has the exact rare item you’ve been looking, for half the price! Don’t do it.

Social media scams are a huge problem! Data from Barclays showed that people aged 21 – 30 are the most likely to fall victim, although all age groups are vulnerable.

Don’t click and buy on social media links, instead Google the business name and check out any reviews and whether there is a customer service telephone number. If you are unsure, don’t use them.

Tip: If you’re looking for Christmas jumpers, you’re probably safer sticking with well-known stores as there were several fake Christmas jumper websites popping up last year!

Fake Christmas finance deals

With many trying to manage the increased cost of living alongside Christmas this winter, it can be tempting to seek out a loan – and of course with fewer banks offering this in-branch, you are likely to turn to the internet. Scammers are ready and waiting…

Always opt for a reputable comparison site and use a well-known lender. If a rate seems unbelievably low, and you are not familiar with the scheme or lender, walk away. You could end up in more debt than when you started if a hacker gets hold of your bank details.

Whether you have a budget, or are budget-conscious and looking for a safe way to spend online, one useful option could be PayPal, as you will have immediate support if something does go wrong. Just make sure you use a hard-to-hack password!

Fake Royal Mail or courier delivery notices

We’ve all known about this one for years – but let’s remind ourselves of the ways in which this can work, usually digitally (text, emails, WhatsApp and so on), or even via telephone.

You’ve underpaid Royal Mail for a delivery so ‘click this link’ and pay nowWe have not been able to deliver your parcel. It will cost £2 to rearrange delivery, ‘pay here’We can’t deliver your item as you need to pay customs duty, ‘click to pay here’You make the payment, and receive a call from someone pretending to be from your bank, telling you an unauthorised payment has been made and urging you to send your money to a new account to keep it safe from scammers.

All of the above are scams. If in doubt, find the official providers telephone number online and give them a call directly to check.

Don’t overshare on social media this Christmas

Unless you have set up your privacy, scammers are able to view anyone’s Christmas plans on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and more, so be wary about what you share.

It’s amazing what can be pieced together by scrolling through someone’s feed – where the person lives, maybe even a photograph of their home or car, a link to where they work, even email address – and of course, for the more visually orientated, your beautiful collection of Christmas gifts under the tree ripe for the picking.

Some still post that they are going away for Christmas, publicly declaring that they are leaving their home unattended.  If this is you, you need to lock down your privacy on your social media channels now!

The importance of passwords

We know we mention this frequently, however, if you haven’t done so thus far, now is the time to update your passwords. If a scammer can access one of your devices with an easily discoverable password, chances are you use that password elsewhere, giving them the key to your digital kingdom.

Also as important is to ensure that, if your children or grandchildren are given technology gifts that require a password for the first time, whether their first mobile phone, laptop or even a new camera, you teach them good password hygiene from the outset:

Change any default passwords and usernames straight away!Choose complex passwords,Use a different password for each deviceDon’t write the passwords down or store them on your web browserDon’t share passwords with friendsDon’t share any information with people not in the real worldDon’t click on links in emails and SMS from people you don’t know – or if a link looks ‘weird’.

Perhaps you could even print this guide and include it with the gift:

Not sure if your home contents insurance covers Christmas? Contact your local branch who will happily check your policy limits and excess and talk you though it.

Sources: TrendMicro, Security Everywhere, Barclays