Don't let scammers spoil your summer

Summer is a time to look forward to. Whether you're planning a holiday, heading to a festival, or enjoying a day out with family and friends, it's often one of the busiest and most enjoyable times of the year.

Unfortunately, it's also a busy time for fraudsters. As demand rises for holidays, event tickets and online bargains, scammers look for opportunities to take advantage of people who are eager to secure a great deal.

By knowing what to look out for, you can help protect yourself and enjoy a safe, scam-free summer.

You can find more information about common scams and how to protect yourself on our Fraud Awareness page.

Ticket Scams

Popular concerts, festivals and sporting events often sell out quickly. When they do, fraudsters may advertise fake tickets on social media, online marketplaces or unofficial resale websites.

The adverts can appear genuine and the prices may seem reasonable, but once payment has been made, the tickets either never arrive or turn out to be invalid.

How to stay safe

• Buy tickets from official venues, box offices or trusted resale websites
• Pay by card whenever possible or use services such a PayPal as this can provide additional protection
• Be cautious if you're asked to pay by bank transfer
• Be cautious if a seller asks you to use "Friends & Family" payment options
• Remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is

Holiday scams

If you're planning a summer getaway, it's worth taking a little extra care before booking.

Fraudsters can create convincing websites and fake listings for accommodation that doesn't exist or isn't available to rent. These scams are often advertised through social media or unfamiliar booking sites, particularly for self-catering properties and caravan holidays.

How to stay safe

• Book through reputable travel companies and providers with ABTA or ATOL protection where applicable
• Research the company independently before making a booking
• Avoid paying for holidays by bank transfer
• Be wary of unusually low prices or excuses about why a property can't be viewed

Online shopping scams

Fraudsters also use online marketplaces and selling platforms to advertise goods that don't exist or aren't as described.

You may be asked to pay upfront, only to find that the item never arrives.

How to stay safe

• Avoid paying by bank transfer before you've received or verified the goods
• Check seller profiles and be cautious of accounts with little or no history
• Where possible, arrange to meet in person when purchasing second-hand items

Stop. Challenge. Protect.

We're proud to support the Take Five campaign, which encourages everyone to take a moment before making a payment or sharing personal information.

Stop – Take a moment to think before parting with your money or information.

Challenge – Ask yourself whether the request could be fake. It's okay to reject, refuse or ignore any request that doesn't feel right.

Protect – If you think you've been targeted by a scam, contact us immediately.

Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency, telling you that tickets are selling fast or a holiday deal is about to expire. Taking a moment to stop and think could help prevent a costly mistake.

Remember, we'll never ask for your security details

We'll never contact you by email, text message or phone and ask for your password or security details.

If you receive a message claiming to be from us and you're unsure whether it's genuine, don't respond. Contact us directly on 0800 093 0004 and we'll be happy to help.