Stay scam safe this Christmas

Stay scam safe this Christmas

Delivery scams: The “missed parcel” trap

Fraudsters send fake text messages or emails pretending to be from couriers, asking for small payments to redeliver parcels or requesting sensitive details.

How to protect yourself:

• Only track any expected parcels through trusted courier websites.
• Never click on links in unsolicited messages.

Online shopping scams: Too good to be true deals

Fake websites and suspiciously large discounts are common tactics used to steal your card details or sell counterfeit goods to you.

How to protect yourself:

• Check reviews using platforms such as Trustpilot. Look for good reviews from different buyers. Be wary of mixed, bad or no reviews at all. It is safer to buy from a trusted retailer.
• If you do not receive a confirmation email after you have made the purchase, or the merchant’s name does not match who you were expecting to pay, this could be an indication of a fake website.

Charity scams: Exploiting goodwill

Scammers set up fake charities to exploit the season of giving.

How to protect yourself:

• Research charities via official platforms such as the Charity Commission – gov.uk/charity-commission or call them on 0300 066 9197.
• Be cautious of high-pressure donation requests or unverified links.

Gift card scams: The holiday hoax

Scammers may pressure you into buying gift cards as a form of payment or request gift card details under the guise of a legitimate transaction. Fraudsters often impersonate someone you know in an attempt to get you to purchase gift cards on their behalf.

How to protect yourself:

• Call the person directly to verify their identity before purchasing gift cards on someone else’s behalf.
• Never use gift cards for payments to unknown individuals or companies.
• Treat gift card codes like cash – once shared, they are gone.

Stay one step ahead this Christmas

• Check your bank account statements and card app regularly for unauthorised activity.
• Contact us to amend transaction alerts to catch any suspicious spending quickly.
• Enable two-factor authentication for an added layer of protection.

Important reminder: Falling victim to these scams can expose your personal details, leading to further risks such as bank impersonation calls. Scammers may use your stolen information to pose as Weatherbys, convincing you that your account is at risk and tricking you into sharing sensitive details or transferring funds.

Please take this time to familiarise yourself with a real-life scenario which was shared earlier this year: https://vimeo.com/944796470

If you suspect a transaction or communication might be fraudulent, please speak to your private banking team or Relationship Manager in the first instance. You can also contact the Private Bank on +44(0)1933 543 600 or the Racing Bank on +44(0)1933 543 543.

Remember:

• We will never ask you for full banking details, one-time passcodes (OTPs) or online banking passwords over email, text or through unsolicited calls.
• The Fraud Team will never contact you directly. Any calls will always be arranged through your private banking team or Relationship Manager.