McAfee is encouraging safer shopping this festive season after its latest study found festive scams are hitting younger Brits the hardest.
Though it’s this age group which feels most confident in its ability to discern truth from fiction, 36% of victims in its research were aged 18 to 24.
The research also found that as many as one in five Brits have fallen for an online scam at this busy time of year before.
Shoppers are also on high alert to protect themselves against AI-related scams, with 90% believing the use of AI is impacting the number and types of online scams.
In fact, three in five will be more alert to the possibility of fake messages this year compared to last, and one in ten have said that they will shop online less.
Purchase scams
It’s not just fake messages that are duping Brits out of money. Purchase scams, where you pay for an item and it never arrives, are also rife.
Becky, 23 from London, was scammed when trying to buy a gift online.
She said: “I found what looked like a great deal for a Nintendo Switch on an online marketplace. The description and photos all seemed real but after I paid, the seller vanished, and the package never arrived.
“I always thought it was older people who fell for scams, but I’ve absolutely learnt my lesson now and just want others to be careful, too. With the busy Christmas shopping period, it’s never been more important to raise our guard, no matter how technically savvy we think we are.”
How to stay safe
To stay safe, Vonny Gamot, head of EMEA at McAfee, has collated some safety tips.
Think before you click
If you receive an email or text message asking you to click on a link, even if it sounds like you’ve won an incredible prize or received a package delivery update, it’s best to avoid interacting with the message altogether.
Always go directly to the source and interact with reputable companies.
Don’t rush
Scammers use urgency to pressure you into acting without thinking. Take a moment to verify any email or message that claims you need to make a payment or resolve an issue.
Shop securely
Stick to well-known stores and verify any unfamiliar ones by reading reviews. Pay with a credit card wherever possible as this offers better fraud protection than a debit card.
Use AI to beat AI
Consider taking advantage of AI-powered tools that detect deepfakes for you or block dangerous links that appear in text messages, emails, social media or web browsers, so you can shop peacefully and securely.
Source: McAfee’s global festive scams study conducted online in November 2024 by 7,128 adults.