As the festive season approaches, it’s time for celebration, connection and generosity.
Unfortunately, it’s also a time when scammers become increasingly active, taking advantage of the surge in online shopping, deliveries and charitable donations.
At Cunningtons, we believe in looking out for our community, especially the most vulnerable among us. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you and your loved ones to stay scam-smart this Christmas season.
Why Christmas is Prime Time for Scammers
The festive period creates the perfect conditions for fraudsters. With more parcels being delivered, more online transactions taking place, and more people feeling generous towards charitable causes, scammers have plenty of opportunities to deceive unsuspecting victims.
Older people can be particularly vulnerable, as scammers often view them as more trusting or less familiar with digital safety. But with a little awareness and the right resources to hand, you can protect yourself and those you care about.
Your Essential Christmas Scam Prevention Toolkit
There are some trusted places we can all find advice, tools and training to help us stay scam-smart this season:
- Stop, hang up, then call 159: If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be your bank, hang up immediately and dial 159 to speak directly to your bank’s fraud team. This simple three-digit number from Stop Scams UK could save you from handing over money or personal details to fraudsters.
- Age UK Scams Prevention and Support: Specialist guidance designed for older people, including easy-to-follow information guides and awareness sessions to help you spot the warning signs. Visit https://www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/programmes/how-we-deliver-advice/scams-prevention-and-support-programme/
- The Little Book of Big Scams: This free guide from the Metropolitan Police breaks down the most common scams in straightforward language, helping you recognise the tricks fraudsters use. Download your copy here: https://nbcc.police.uk/crime-prevention/cyber-and-fraud/little-book-of-big-scams-fifth-edition
- Action Fraud: The UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. Their website features current scam alerts, educational resources, and a straightforward way to report suspicious activity. Find out more: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/resources
We’ve created this quick-reference carousel, highlighting the trusted ways you can find support, report suspicious activity, and arm yourself with knowledge.
Take a moment to familiarise yourself with these resources:
Protecting What Matters Most
While staying alert to scams is important, ensuring your assets and loved ones are properly protected for the future is equally vital.
If you’re concerned about safeguarding your estate or want to make sure your wishes are clearly documented, our Wills & Probate team is here to help.
We offer a range of straightforward, fixed-fee services to give you complete peace of mind. Contact your nearest Cunningtons Wills & Probate team to talk about how we can help. We have branches in Braintree, Brighton, Chelmsford, Croydon, Hastings, Hornchurch, and Wickford.