British shoppers are being urged to exercise heightened caution this Christmas as new research reveals alarming numbers of consumers are willing to overlook obvious scam warning signs in pursuit of festive bargains.
The Festive Fraud Epidemic
According to comprehensive research conducted by The Harris Poll for Mastercard in September, which surveyed over 1,000 UK adults, nearly half of people (46%) admitted they would ignore red flags if offered a half-price deal. An equally concerning 49% stated they'd overlook warning signs if desperate for a gift to arrive before Christmas.
Security experts warn that fraudsters are actively exploiting the pressure and excitement of festive shopping to catch consumers off guard. "Fraudsters know people are distracted, hunting for bargains and trying to get everything done in time," the report emphasised.
Concerning Shopping Habits Exposed
The survey uncovered several worrying trends in consumer behaviour during the holiday period:
- Two-thirds (66%) of shoppers purchase from unfamiliar websites during the holidays
- Only 34% claim to be more careful during this period
- 8% admitted they're actually less cautious than usual
- One in five (19%) confessed to doing little or no research before buying from unfamiliar sites
This lack of due diligence makes shoppers easy targets for fake websites and counterfeit sellers operating during the busiest shopping season.
The Real Cost of Festive Fraud
The research findings demonstrate that many consumers have already experienced the consequences of online shopping scams:
- 17% reported items never arrived
- 13% received fake or counterfeit goods
- 9% were overcharged for their purchases
- 8% had their payment details stolen
Simon Forbes, division president for UK and Ireland at Mastercard, highlighted the company's approach to combating this threat: "We consistently analyse risk events and utilise generative AI to swiftly detect compromised cards. Additionally, we prevent fraud by scrutinising transactions in real time."
Recognising and Avoiding Scams
Experienced shoppers reported learning to identify several key warning signs that should prompt caution:
- Prices that appear too good to be true
- Spelling errors and unprofessional website design
- Missing or suspicious customer reviews
- Absence of secure payment symbols
The research confirmed that more than half (54%) of shoppers would avoid sites without secure payment indicators, while 30% would steer clear if limited payment options were available.
Mastercard has provided essential safety advice for Christmas shoppers, including careful QR code scanning, keeping devices updated, verifying delivery alerts, researching charities before donating, and being wary of fake CAPTCHAs used to harvest personal information.
Mr Forbes offered this crucial reminder: "Our message to people this festive season is to watch out for rogue traders and remember that if something looks too good to be true, it usually is."
