- Fake Websites – There is a big increase in fake special offers, email alerts etc in the lead up to Christmas as scammers try desperately to attract you to their websites. Most of these fake sites are copies of well known and trusted sites such as Marks and Spencers, Amazon, Bentalls etc. The sites are either phishing sites designed to get your login information or sell poor quality copies of well known products. Be careful visiting any retail websites that you haven’t used previously.
- Social Media Gift Exchange – This is a fairly new scam whereby exchanging gifts or purchasing and selling may seem a good plan but scammers turn these into schemes where they make money and everyone else loses.
- Grandparent Scams – Scammers target pensioners, pretending to be a grandchild that has been injured in an accident and needs financial help immediately. They hope the emotional impact of a hurt child may lead people to react and send help without thinking though what’s going on or verifying the situation first.
- E-Cards – More people than ever are sending e-Cards at Christmas and scammers create fake websites and advertise them on social media to attract punters. But instead of an e-card they take your login details and payment details and make money from you. Be careful using a new e-Card website.
Be careful more than ever online at Christmas.
If you have any experiences with scammers, spammers or time-waster do let me know, by email.
