Why the Festive Season Is Prime Time for Scammers and How to Stay Smart to Christmas Scams
Staying Safe from Christmas Scams
The festive season is a time most of us look forward to. Families gather, communities reconnect and many people take the opportunity to reflect, rest and celebrate. Unfortunately, it’s also the time of year when scams increase, often dramatically. Christmas scams are on the rise. The combination of online shopping, digital payments, charity appeals and delivery notifications creates the perfect environment for fraudsters to target people of all ages.
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This year, the Association of Lifetime Lawyers has partnered with Stop Scams UK to raise awareness of Christmas scams and encourage people to stay alert. As Lifetime Lawyers ourselves, our Private Client team is proud to support this initiative. Many of the individuals and families we work with are older or vulnerable, and we recognise how easily these scams can cause distress, financial loss and long-term worry.
In this blog, we explain why scams escalate at Christmas, the most common warning signs, the trusted organisations offering reliable guidance and how you can protect your loved ones.
If you are concerned about an elderly family member or need support with safeguarding legal arrangements, such as Powers of Attorney, our team is here to help.
Why Christmas Scams are so Rife
Scam activity consistently increases in December. UK Finance recorded 3.3 million fraud incidents in 2024, with a total loss of £1.17 billion, and reports typically peak in the final few weeks of the year. This trend is not surprising. More people are shopping online, sending money digitally, booking travel or responding to charity appeals. In between all of this, inboxes fill up with order confirmations and delivery tracking messages, making it harder to distinguish what is legitimate and what is not.
Criminals rely on people being distracted and busy. A text about a missed parcel or a message claiming to be from a family member in need of help can easily slip through our usual filters. People may be more inclined to act quickly, often because they want to avoid disappointing someone at Christmas. Scammers use that urgency to pressure individuals into giving away information or authorising payments before they have time to think.
Older people can be particularly vulnerable because they may not be familiar with newer digital platforms. Or they may feel confident responding to what looks like an official message, not realising how easy it is to imitate a business. It’s important for families to be aware of these risks and to have open conversations about staying safe.
Common Christmas Scams and How to Spot Them
While scams can appear in many forms, several patterns tend to dominate the festive season. Below are reliable examples based on national fraud data and guidance provided by trusted organisations.
Delivery scams
These usually involve fake texts or emails claiming that a parcel cannot be delivered until a small fee is paid. The message often appears to be from Royal Mail, DPD or another recognisable courier. The link leads to a realistic but fraudulent payment page where card details are harvested.
Online shopping scams
Criminals create discounted Christmas offers that appear too good to miss. Fake websites, marketplace posts or social media adverts may sell items that never arrive or collect personal data when the user creates an account.
Charity Christmas scams
The festive season inspires generosity, which unfortunately provides an opportunity for scammers to pose as well-known charities, or set up entirely fake ones. They may contact people directly by phone, text or email and request donations through unverified links.
Fake gift card schemes
These include scams where criminals persuade individuals to purchase gift cards as a supposed way to pay a bill, settle an account or avoid legal action. No legitimate organisation requests payment through gift cards.
Trusted Places to Get Help and Advice
The Association of Lifetime Lawyers and Stop Scams UK highlight several reliable sources of guidance and support. These organisations offer clear, accessible advice for people of all ages:
- Stop Scams UK – Call 159. If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be your bank, hang up and dial 159. This number connects you directly with your bank’s official line so you can verify whether the communication was genuine.
- Action Fraud - Action Fraud is the UK’s official reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. Their website includes up to date information on current scam activity along with guidance on how to report incidents.
You can also find valuable resources from Age UK, including tailored advice for older people. The Metropolitan Police’s free guide, The Little Book of Big Scams, is also available at no cost. It outlines the most common fraud tactics.
Listen to the Little Book of Big Scams in audiobook form
These organisations provide straightforward instructions that anyone can follow. They are especially useful for carers or family members who want to protect relatives who may be unaware of the latest scam techniques.
How Winston Solicitors Helps Protect Clients
Although scams fall outside of traditional legal processes, they often intersect with areas of law that affect our clients. For example, someone who has been scammed may lose money that was intended for their future care. A vulnerable individual who is repeatedly targeted may need additional support, legal safeguards or a review of their financial arrangements.
This is why we encourage clients to consider protective legal documents such as:
- Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) - LPAs allow you to appoint trusted individuals to help manage your financial or welfare decisions if you become unable to do so yourself. For many families, an LPA offers significant reassurance. If a person loses capacity and becomes vulnerable to fraud, their appointed attorney can step in and protect their interests.
- Wills and Estate Planning - Carefully drafted Wills and future planning reduce the risk of disputes or financial difficulties for loved ones. As cybercrime grows, having a clear and up-to-date estate plan becomes even more important.
Our Private Client team also has extensive experience supporting older or vulnerable people and can advise families on how to manage risk in a compassionate and practical way.
What To Do If You Receive a Suspicious Message
If you receive a message, email or phone call that feels unusual:
- Do not click any links or share personal information.
- Verify the source by contacting the organisation using a publicly listed number.
- If the message claims to be from your bank, call 159 to reach a confirmed bank line.
- Report the incident through Action Fraud if you believe you have been targeted.
If you have a received a suspicious message call 159 now
Taking an extra moment to pause can prevent significant harm. Scammers rely on speed, so slowing down is one of the most effective forms of protection.
Sharing Awareness with Loved Ones
Talking about scams with older or more isolated relatives can feel awkward, but it is one of the best ways to protect them. Many older people worry that discussing scams will make them seem naïve, so approaching the topic gently can help.
A simple way to begin is to frame the conversation around seasonal safety. You can mention national campaigns like the Association of Lifetime Lawyers’ Christmas initiative or Stop Scams UK. Let your relative know that scams are common, widespread and increasingly sophisticated. Many people are affected, so there’s no need for them to feel silly or out-of-touch. Encouraging openness helps reduce the stigma.
If you or your family would like help with planning protective measures, such as LPAs or Wills, we are always here to offer friendly and straightforward guidance.
Don’t Let Christmas Scams Ruin Your Celebrations
Christmas should be a time for celebration, not stress. While Christmas scams are an unfortunate reality of the digital world, awareness is one of the strongest tools we have. By taking a little extra care, using trusted resources and encouraging loved ones to do the same, we can all enjoy a safer and more relaxed festive season.
Our Private Client team is proud to support the Association of Lifetime Lawyers’ Christmas Scam Awareness Campaign. If you would like advice on safeguarding your future planning, or you are worried about a relative who may be vulnerable to fraud, please contact us. Our team is here to help you feel confident, supported and protected throughout the festive season and beyond.
Message a member of our Private Client team at wills&probate@winstonsolicitors.co.uk
