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NatWest Scamvent

Check out 12 scams that criminals use to trick online shoppers

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Top 12 purchase scams:

The NatWest Scamvent Calendar is filled with tips and information to help protect you from the most common purchase scams1.  41% of consumers have been approached by scammers during November and December as part of a purchase scam2. Over a third of us are anxious that we’ll lose money to a scam when present buying, especially when shopping online. So let us help you with how to spot a scam and top tips to avoid them2. 

1. Top 12 list based on a sample size of 980 respondents who had themselves or know someone who has been targeted with for a purchase scam, to highlight the scams identified as being most prevalent. 2. Study of 2,000 Brits by OnePoll commissioned on behalf of NatWest Group in October 2024.

Top five tips

Here are our top five tips on how you can avoid losing money to a purchase scam.

  1. Consider where you are shopping: Be careful shopping on online marketplaces – look out for fake adverts and avoid clicking on any links or pop-ups. Always buy tickets from official sites.
  2. Check for spelling errors and odd-looking website addresses or links: Strange-looking web addresses and links can be a clue that a site isn’t genuine.
  3. Factor in price and payment method: Be wary if the price is unusually low versus the typical cost of the item. Just because a website accepts debit or credit cards doesn’t mean it’s real – and a request to pay by bank transfer is a definite red flag, so steer clear.
  4. Feeling rushed?: Is it a one-time only offer, or a deal that’s expiring soon? Criminals often try to rush you by creating a false sense of urgency. Take time to pause and reflect before parting with any money or personal information.
  5. Talk to friends and family: If you aren’t sure whether a purchase is the real deal, talk to people close to you for their opinion - and be sure to look out for your friends and family too

Scamvent: The Twelve Scams of the Season

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Watch as Hannah and Wilf unveil the season’s top purchase scams and how to avoid them.

Hannah Byczkowski and Wilf Webster open their Scamvent calendar and reveal the hidden purchase scams

 

Find more about the campaign and which branches have a limited supply of chocolate calendars.