Keep yourself safe online when shopping over Christmas

Christmas brings a surge in online scams.

Such as fake delivery texts/emails (smishing) asking for fees, phishing for personal details with "too good to be true" deals, fake charity requests, and impersonations (friends/family) to get gift card codes, with criminals using AI and social engineering to create urgency and trick you into clicking links, giving info, or sending money. 

Protect yourself by verifying sender details, never clicking suspicious links, using secure payment methods, checking for 'https' sites, and being wary of urgent requests for gift cards or immediate payment.

Make sure you stay safe over the Christmas holidays, if you think a scam has taken place you go contact Action Fraud and report it or call 101.