Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word,’ which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know the importance of analyzing the facts of messaging. .
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to block Americans from our reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone, and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes a difference.
A major bank is warning people to watch out for fraudsters over the festive period, as its customers reported losing almost £2m to bank transfer scams between Christmas and New Year last year.
Santander UK said £1,999,444 was reported as lost to authorized push payment (APP) fraud between 25 December 2023 and 1 January 2024.
The total includes an individual loss of more than £600,000 as part of an investment scam – the largest amount lost by a bank customer in 2023.
Scammers may see the Christmas holidays as the perfect opportunity to strike, when some people are distracted by festive activities.
Scammers may try to lure people who want to cash in on the Christmas sale or buy concert tickets for the coming year.
Scammers don’t take off the holiday season
Pete Staffel, Santander UK
At Christmas last year, reports of online scams involved clothes being bought on Instagramas well as football and Taylor Swift tickets purchased on Facebook Marketplace.
Impersonation scams can also catch people out when they are spending time relaxing at home during the holidays.
On Boxing Day, there were several claims from customers who were contacted by fraudsters pretending to be their bank.
And scammers didn’t even take New Year’s Day off as 2024 began, with customers reporting several advance payment scams, including a £1,700 payment intended to secure a job offer with a “recruiter” via WhatsApp.
Santander data from December 25, 2023 to January 1, 2024 show that 596 frauds were reported by individual and business clients of the bank.
– On Christmas itself, customers contacted the bank about 10 frauds, worth 3,971 pounds.
– On Boxing Day, 25 frauds costing £45,788 were discovered.
– On New Year’s Day, 24 frauds were reported, with a total value of £7,004.
Santander UK behavioral scientist Pete Staffel said: “Online classifieds are the main place to find that dream gift – I even found one the other day, the perfect family game, complete with a video showing how it all works. My kids would love it and only two left in stock. But before I clicked buy, I checked the reviews, it was a scam.
“Don’t let the build-up to Christmas cloud your senses. Scammers don’t skimp on the holiday season, and whether it’s buying it now ads, impersonating your bank or offering an investment that’s too good to be true, they’ll be looking for ways to be the Grinch who steals more of your Christmas.”
Here are some tips on how to avoid scams from Santander, who have additional tips on fraud awareness on their website:
1. Always take time to think before making a payment and pay special attention to the warnings that the bank shows you when paying. They are set up to help you bank safely and avoid fraud.
2. Be careful when buying merchandise on social media – especially if it’s something that’s being sold everywhere or is being sold at a price that seems too good to be true. If you haven’t seen the item in person, there’s a good chance it could be a scam.
3. Anyone can easily be impersonated, and criminals can make a caller’s identity, email address, or name look like the real caller. So, if you get an email, text or call, make sure it’s genuine by calling them back on a known and trusted number.
4. Always take the time to do extra checks when you make a payment. This is to ensure that the person and the payment are genuine. This can be reading reviews, researching companies or websites, and checking if the person or company is who they say they are.
5. Think you’re buying from your partner? Call them first. Fraudsters hack into people’s social networks to sell fake ones to their friends. Always talk in person using a number you trust, not the one they sent you.
People those concerned about potential fraud can call 159 – an easy-to-remember number signed up to by many banks. If someone thinks they have been scammed, they should contact their bank immediately. Fraud can be reported to Action Fraud.