‘Tis the Season to be Wary

As we wrap up another year and head into the festive break, we’re all looking forward to time with family, a slower pace, and maybe even a wine (or three). It has been a busy couple of months at DPAS. You may have noticed that our CEO, Melanie, has gone on maternity leave after welcoming a beautiful little girl not long ago. That has seen a bit of a shift internally, with me taking on Mel’s role in the interim, and the wonderful Lauren stepping up as Head of Consultancy. We are also in the midst of recruiting another member of our consultancy team (exciting!), organising our 2026 conference, and of course putting together the staff party — so there’s not much winding down at DPAS just yet!

So, whilst many of us are full of festive cheer and excited for the end of the month, it seems like an apt time to remind you that this is also the time of year when scammers work overtime. With people distracted, busy, and shopping more than usual, cybercriminals see Christmas as the perfect opportunity to catch people off guard.

Losses to festive fraud exceed £11.5 million every Christmas in the UK, according to Action Fraud. TSB warns of a 35% spike in online shopping scams, and Experian reports a clear uptick in fraud at this time of year. All statistics that should make us hyper-vigilant, especially during the Christmas period. So, what should you look out for?

Online Shopping Fraud

A festive favourite. ITV recently reported on this: https://www.itv.com/news/2025-12-08/festive-fraudsters-targeting-retail-shops-with-ai-designed-fake-websites. Criminals set up professional-looking sites offering “too good to be true” deals on toys, game consoles, tech, clothing and designer goods (or whatever happens to be on trend).

Red flags:

• Big brands at heavily discounted prices
• No reviews or only newly-created ones
• No physical address or returns policy

Tip: Stick to reputable retailers, check website age, and always look for https:// and a valid padlock symbol. Avoid following social media ad links; only access websites through trusted sources.

Delivery / Courier Scams

A big one at this time of year, and technically a type of phishing. These often appear as texts or emails claiming to be from a trusted delivery company, asking you to pay an unexpected fee or rearrange a delivery.

Red flags:

• Being asked to follow a link
• Requests for unexpected payment
• A sense of urgency designed to make you act quickly

Tip: If you are ever in doubt, contact the delivery company directly — but do so by searching for a legitimate number or email address. Do not use the details included in the message.

Charity & Donation Scams

Another regular contender. This is a form of social engineering where scammers ‘tug on your heartstrings’, encouraging you to make fast payments or donations (PayPal links, vouchers and gift cards are all big red flags).

Red flags:

• Street collectors without ID
• Fake websites with similar names to real charities
• Urgent emotional pleas
• Pressure to donate “now”
• Mentions of PayPal, gift cards, or even cryptocurrency

Tip: Look up the charity on the official register before donating. Only donate via approved routes – trusted websites, official platforms, and if you’re unsure, contact customer services.

Action Fraud have put together a handy article which includes more examples and some general advice on how to keep yourself protected this Christmas. Read here.

It is also worth mentioning that this time of year is when we are most likely to share cute photos, work events, gift details, and location information on social media. I have written before about the risks of over-sharing here.

So, as we wind down for the year, and look forward to some well earned rest, remember that there are scrupulous individuals that see our down time as vulnerability. Don’t let them be the reason you can’t enjoy the January sales!