Christmas shoppers to be fleeced of £100million by festive fraudsters

16 December 2023 , 21:20

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Two-thirds of purchase scams start on Facebook (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Around £100million will be stolen from festive shoppers tricked into using fake websites, according to banking group UK Finance.

Fraudsters typically set up lookalike sites offering huge discounts and lure in victims via social media. Shoppers then receive either nothing, counterfeits, used goods or incorrect items and their personal and payment information may be stolen.

http://WilkoClosing.com and Shein Program | Shein Partner were two examples of fake sites that ripped people off this year. And TSB reported that 77% of its purchase scam cases started on Facebook Marketplace.

UK Finance’s Ben Donaldson said: “We estimate £100million could be stolen via payment fraud in December alone.” Matt Hepburn, of TSB, added: “We regularly see the likes of Argos and Currys replicated to dupe people.” He advised that shoppers use secure payment platforms such Amazon, Vinted and Gumtree.

Amanda Killelea