Shoppers warned to stay scam smart and protect their cash during January sales

The seasonal sales started early this year in an effort to boost business and give the economy one final push before welcoming in 2022.

And now that the January sales have officially landed, both in stores and online, it is the perfect opportunity to bag a bargain or get the ultimate head start on this year’s Christmas shopping gift list.

However, the impulsivity and frantic rush of sales shopping can make some people more likely to fall for a financial scam and to help everyone avoid becoming the target of criminal activity, online and in-person, Simon Mair, head of information security and data privacy at wealth manager Brewin Dolphin, shares three of the more common scams you might run into this month.

He explained: “ Scammers are getting increasingly more sophisticated and use a range of tactics. Phishing scams are commonplace, so it is vital shoppers think about what link they are clicking on and assess whether it looks reliable and from a trustworthy source.

“Ensure any electronic gifts you are giving or receiving are protected with the most up to date virus protection and two-factor authentication is used wherever possible.

“In emails, look for spelling mistakes, check the email domain and think twice before clicking a link. Most importantly, take a moment to pause and think before reacting, whether that be signing for a delivery you weren’t expecting or engaging with an email that doesn’t quite add up.”

He added: “It is also important to note scammers often target victims more than once and use details gathered in the first scam to strike again.”

Fake invoice

A scam that is especially prevalent around the January sales is fraudsters sending emails resembling those of a large retail corporation.

The email looks like your run-of-the-mill order confirmation or invoice, except that the order is false. Nearly every link in it will be authentic and lead to the retailer’s page. But one link, which the customer will be encouraged to click on, will be false. Once the customer has followed the fraudulent link, scammers can then access their personal details, including bank details. This becomes more believable during the January sales period as shoppers may well have bought something from the retailer just before Christmas, so will assume the invoice relates to that purchase.

Latest Scams To Look Out For

Fake delivery

Another increasingly common scam is fake deliveries. Scammers pose as couriers and arrive at a front door with a delivery, asking the shopper to sign for it. Many shoppers may be expecting a bargain they bagged in the Boxing Day Sales or believe they are receiving a belated Christmas gift from a friend or family member, and sign, for the parcel.

The scammers then harvest a copy of the signature and impersonate places like the person’s bank to get access to their account. If you’re unsure, ask for the delivery person’s ID, and think hard about whether you bought something from that retailer.

Smart tech gifts

Many people may either have received gadgets as Christmas presents, or opted to buy one in the sales, especially smart tech such as virtual assistants, including Alexa devices, smart TVs, Ring doorbells and even Bluetooth kitchenware such as ovens and fridges.

But as our devices become smarter, so does the fraud. Scammers are increasingly able to hack into these items to access information about your home or monitor an individual’s activity, creating both risk of virtual and physical theft.

Adding two-factor verification and using complex, unique passwords when setting the devices up help mitigate the risk of this.



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Children are especially vulnerable if they receive a new gadget or device, such as a new phone, laptop, or video game console. Parents should ensure these devices are kitted out with the latest virus protection as well as ensuring they have two-factor verification and password managers to safeguard their personal details and accounts.

Having conversations around internet security is also encouraged so children know what to look out for and are aware of the risks the internet poses.

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