As fraudsters prepare to exploit the Christmas season, NatWest has introduced an advent calendar aimed at educating British consumers about prevalent purchase scams.
Research from NatWest indicates that 41% of British adults experience an increase in scam approaches during November and December, with losses from purchase scams reaching their highest level since data collection began in 2020.
The Scamvent calendar, available in limited quantities at select branches, features 12 doors and artisan chocolates, each representing one of the 12 most common purchase scams the public may encounter during the festive season.
To promote the calendar, the bank has enlisted Hannah Byczkowski and Wilf Webster from Series 1 of the TV show ‘The Traitors’ to appear in a promotional video.
NatWest’s findings reveal that 31% of adults are concerned about falling victim to a scam while shopping for gifts, with 92% of purchase scams associated with online transactions. A quarter of British adults have reported encountering ads they suspect to be scams or fake listings while shopping for presents during the holiday period.
Additionally, NatWest has compiled a list of the top 12 types of purchases most vulnerable to scams: phones, tickets, online vouchers and gift cards, laptops and tablets, clothing, home tech, jewellery, video games, cars, watches, luxury handbags, and shoes.