Stay Scam-Savvy This Christmas Season: Protect Yourself from Festive Fraudsters

The Christmas season is a time of giving, joy, and togetherness. 

Unfortunately, it’s also a time when scammers ramp up their efforts, preying on the goodwill and busy schedules of people preparing for the festive period. 

From too-good-to-be-true deals to fake charity appeals, scammers use a variety of tactics to exploit unwary shoppers. Here’s how to spot the warning signs and protect yourself from falling victim to holiday fraud.

1. Online Shopping Scams

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday kicking off the festive spending spree, online shopping becomes a prime target for fraudsters. They lure victims with offers of unbelievable discounts on popular items like electronics, toys, and luxury goods. These "deals" are often fake or involve counterfeit goods.

What to watch for:

Websites with poor grammar, strange URLs, or no contact details.

Pressure tactics such as "limited stock" or "offer ends today."

Lack of secure payment options (no padlock symbol in the browser).

Protect yourself:

Stick to reputable retailers, avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or ads, and use a credit card for additional purchase protection.

2. Delivery Scams

With millions of parcels in transit, scammers send fake emails or texts claiming to be from delivery companies. These messages often include links asking you to pay a small fee for redelivery or confirm your details.

What to watch for:

Unexpected delivery notifications for parcels you weren’t expecting.

Links that lead to suspicious websites asking for personal or payment details.

Spelling errors or generic greetings in messages.

Protect yourself:

Verify the sender before clicking on any links, and check directly with the courier if you’re unsure. Legitimate delivery companies rarely ask for extra fees via text or email.

3. Fake Charity Appeals

The spirit of Christmas often inspires generosity, and scammers exploit this by setting up fake charities or impersonating genuine organisations. They may approach you on the street, online, or over the phone.

What to watch for:

High-pressure tactics to donate immediately.

Vague details about how donations will be used.

Charities you’ve never heard of or that don’t appear on official charity registers.

Protect yourself:

Research charities on the UK’s official Charity Commission website, and never feel pressured to donate on the spot.

4. Social Media and Email Scams

Fraudsters often use social media to target individuals with fake competitions, giveaways, or investment opportunities. They also send phishing emails disguised as messages from trusted retailers or brands.

What to watch for:

Requests for personal information to claim a prize.

Requests to feed a poor, starving family. That doesn't really exist.

Links redirecting you to login pages that look official but are fake.

Overly generous "Christmas gift" campaigns from unknown sources.

Protect yourself:

Be sceptical of offers that seem too good to be true, and don’t share personal or financial details without verifying the source.

5. Gift Card Scams

Scammers may ask you to pay for goods or settle debts using gift cards, often claiming to be from government agencies, utility providers, or even a loved one in need.

What to watch for:

Requests to purchase specific gift cards and share the codes.

Stories designed to create urgency, such as "your account will be closed."

Protect yourself:

Remember, no legitimate organisation will ask for payment in gift cards. If you’re unsure, contact the organisation directly using official contact details.

6. Unsecured Wi-Fi Risks

While Christmas shopping on the go, you might be tempted to use public Wi-Fi at cafés or shopping centres. Unfortunately, scammers can intercept your data on unsecured networks.

What to watch for:

Public Wi-Fi networks that don’t require a password.

Unusual activity on your accounts after using such networks.

Protect yourself:

Avoid making purchases or accessing sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi. Use a VPN if you need to connect securely.

Final Thoughts

The festive season should be about enjoying time with loved ones, not worrying about fraudsters. By staying vigilant and taking simple precautions, you can protect yourself from holiday scams and shop with confidence.

If you believe you’ve been targeted, report the incident to Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk) or contact your bank immediately. Let’s keep the festive cheer flowing and the scammers at bay!

Happy Christmas and stay scam-savvy!

Why You Should Sort Out Your Broadband Requirements Well in Time for Christmas

As Christmas approaches, our homes tend to come alive with festive decorations, gift shopping, and the promise of cosy family gatherings. 

But there’s one often-overlooked element that can make or break the Christmas and New Year season: Your broadband connection. 

From streaming Christmas films to connecting with loved ones far and wide, broadband plays a major role in our festive experience. 

Sorting out your broadband requirements in advance can save you from unnecessary frustration and ensure a smoother, more enjoyable season. Here’s why now is the perfect time to get your broadband ready for Christmas.

1. Avoid Seasonal Delays and Demand Spikes

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for internet providers, as more households upgrade their packages or switch providers to accommodate increased demand over the holidays. If you leave it too late, you may find yourself facing extended waiting times, as providers handle a rush of last-minute requests. By sorting out your broadband early, you avoid the headache of delays or service issues, allowing you to relax and enjoy the festive season without worry.

2. More Devices Online Means Higher Speeds Needed

Between streaming Christmas films, video calling friends and family, and everyone’s new gadgets going online, Christmas is a time of intense internet usage. 

If you have several people in the household, each with their own device (or two), the demand on your Wi-Fi can quickly escalate. Even the best routers can get overloaded when the whole family is online at once. Upgrading your broadband package well before Christmas can help you avoid buffering frustrations and allow everyone to enjoy their festive activities without interruption.

3. Seamless Streaming for Festive Entertainment

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a movie marathon a film fiesta or binge-watching seasonal shows with loved ones. 

Whether you’re tuning into Christmas classics, trying out the latest streaming series, or watching YouTube tutorials for festive recipes and crafts, a reliable, high-speed connection is key to seamless entertainment. 

Lagging and buffering can spoil the experience, especially if you have a packed schedule of family films or are hosting a movie night with friends. Ensuring your broadband meets your streaming needs now means less chance of technical hiccups when you’re settled in with a hot drink and a cosy blanket.

4. Online Shopping and Deliveries

As online shopping continues to soar, many of us will be relying on our broadband connection for purchasing gifts, food, and decorations in time for Christmas. 

Whether you’re grabbing those Black Friday deals or browsing online markets for unique presents, your broadband connection plays a huge part in making sure your orders go through smoothly. A patchy connection can mean missed deals, slow loading pages, and, in some cases, orders not processing correctly. 

Sorting your broadband requirements out now means you’ll be ready to jump on any deal or last-minute gift idea without having to battle slow connections.

5. Keeping Connected with Friends and Family

For many, Christmas is a time to catch up with family and friends we might not see as often. With more people now using video calls to stay in touch, whether over Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype, it’s essential to have a strong, stable broadband connection to avoid lagging or dropped calls. 

Nothing is worse than trying to share festive memories with loved ones, only for the call to freeze mid-sentence. If you know you’ll be making a lot of calls over Christmas, consider checking if your broadband package supports high-definition video calls or upgrading to a higher-speed plan that can handle multiple calls at once.

6. An Easier Set-Up for New Tech Gadgets

With so many Christmas gifts these days being ‘smart’ devices—think tablets, gaming consoles, and home assistants like Alexa or Google Nest—a robust broadband connection is essential to ensure everything works smoothly. 

New gadgets can be a thrill, but they often require software updates, syncing, and high-speed internet to deliver the full experience. By upgrading your broadband in advance, you’ll be better prepared to handle any new devices coming online over the holidays, without compromising the network’s performance for everyone else.

7. Make the Most of Holiday Breaks

Christmas is one of the few times of year when many of us have a bit of a break. If you’re planning to relax, unwind, and make the most of the holiday season, there’s no better way than ensuring your internet is fast, reliable, and stress-free. 

That way, you can enjoy leisurely online browsing, participate in virtual quiz nights, or explore new hobbies and crafts without interruptions. Sorting out your broadband needs ahead of time allows you to fully unwind, giving you one less thing to worry about.

8. Enjoy Peace of Mind

When the festivities are in full swing, the last thing you want to deal with is a broadband crisis. Preparing your internet connection now offers peace of mind, knowing that everyone’s online needs—from streaming to shopping to connecting—will be taken care of. Having one less worry over Christmas means more time to enjoy what really matters: spending time with friends and family, creating memories, and soaking in the holiday spirit.

Top Tips for Getting Your Broadband Ready for Christmas

Check Your Current Package: Review your current broadband package to see if it meets your needs for the holiday season. Most providers allow you to upgrade your package online if you find you need more speed or data.

Compare Providers: If you’re unhappy with your current provider, now is a great time to shop around. Many companies offer deals in the lead-up to Christmas, so you may find an upgrade at a better price.

Check Your Router: Sometimes slow speeds can be fixed by updating your router or ensuring it’s positioned in a central spot within your home. New routers are often optimised for higher speeds, so it may be worth checking with your provider if yours is outdated.

Consider Adding a Wi-Fi Extender: If you have a larger home or areas with weak Wi-Fi, a Wi-Fi extender can help to keep the signal strong in every corner.

Contact Your Provider in Advance: If you need an upgrade or are considering switching, don’t wait! Contact your provider now to avoid delays and ensure everything is set up well before Christmas.

By sorting your broadband requirements out early, you’re giving yourself the best possible start to a stress-free, connected Christmas. 

With fast, reliable broadband, you can focus on what really matters: Enjoying time with loved ones, sharing festive moments, and making memories to last a lifetime. So why wait? Get your broadband ready now and make sure your Christmas is as merry and bright as it should be.