‘Tis the season to be vigilant – as bank warns of spike Christmas shopping scams

We all love a bargain at this time of year – especially when it comes to fulfilling the kids’ Christmas list and family expectations, not to mention those Secret Santa gifts to seek out.

But with the excitement of festive shopping comes a warning, as TSB has reported an 11 per cent year-on-year increase in purchase fraud cases between January and September 2025.

Consumers are advised to remain vigilant as purchase fraud incidents rise during the seasonal shopping period.

According to TSB's data analysis, purchase scams represented 63 per cent of all bank transfer fraud cases reported by customers from January to September 2025, compared to 52 per cent during the same timeframe last year.

The bank identified an 11 per cent annual growth in purchase fraud volumes within this period, with the average financial loss per victim around £452 in 2025.

Many purchase scams originate on social media platforms, where fraudsters advertise counterfeit listings for sought-after or limited-availability products.

Items and services frequently targeted by such scams include concert and football tickets, trainers, children’s toys, home repairs, gaming consoles and other technology, vehicle deposits, and car parts, says TSB.

Platforms such as Facebook Marketplace are particularly notable for attracting both buyers and sellers.

Here are some tips to help make this time merry and not miserable.

• Choose your payment method wisely. Paying by credit card can give you protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act if something goes wrong with the purchase, meaning the credit card company can potentially be held liable if there is a problem. Section 75 may apply if the goods or services cost more than £100 and up to £30,000.
• To stay safe, avoid rushed transactions, meet sellers in person if possible, and never pay by bank transfer; use debit or credit cards instead.
• Good reviews don’t guarantee legitimacy, so always prioritise secure payment methods. Scammers often target hot or rare items at seemingly unbeatable prices. Do your research and check seller reviews and profiles carefully.
• Only pay for an item if you can view and verify it in person.
• It's better to spend a little more with a trusted seller than risk your money. If considering an unfamiliar site, check Trustpilot for consumer reviews.
• Be cautious of deals offering popular items that are sold out elsewhere.
• Try to stick to trusted websites and platforms with secure payment options.

Reporting scam on Facebook Marketplace

1. Report the listing. Find the specific Marketplace listing you want to report and follow the onscreen instruction.
2. Report the user. Go to the Facebook profile of the user you want to report. Click on the “…” or ‘More Options’ link, usually under their cover photo. Select “Find support or report” and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Record all conversations. Before reporting a user or scam, make sure to save or screenshot any suspicious conversations or transactions.
4. Submit feedback to Facebook. If you experience a scam or see a potential loophole that might be exploited by fraudsters, it’s always a good idea to provide feedback to Facebook.

Check out Facebook’s official guidelines for staying safe while using Facebook Marketplace, so you can avoid scams.

Wishing you a safe and peaceful Christmas.