skip to search skip to contact
 

The festive season should be about family, food, and fun—not fraud. Yet, as online shopping surges in December, scammers are working overtime. One of the most common tricks making the rounds is the fake purchase confirmation scam, recently highlighted by BBC Radio 4’s Scam Secrets. It’s simple, sneaky, and designed to catch you off guard.

How the scam works

You receive an email that looks like a genuine order confirmation—complete with logos, formatting, and an order number. It thanks you for your purchase and offers helpful options to “cancel” or “dispute” the transaction, often with a 24-hour deadline to create panic.

Click the link or call the number, and you’re led straight into the fraudster’s trap. Instead of cancelling a non-existent order, you’re handing over personal and financial details. Spoiler alert: those moccasins you never ordered will never arrive.

Red flags to watch for

Before you click, check for these warning signs:

Suspicious Sender Details

  • Generic greeting like “Dear Valued Customer”.

  • Email address such as amazn-customerservice@gmail.com (legitimate companies use official domains).

  • Poor spelling or grammar.

Unusual content

  • Items you’d never buy—or 10 pairs of the same thing.

  • Aggressive language: “IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED”.

  • Unrealistic urgency or countdown timers.

Technical clues

  • Hover over links: if the URL doesn’t match the brand don’t click.

  • Unexpected attachments (.exe or .zip files).

  • Requests to enable macros or content—no genuine retailer does this.

Your festive fraud-prevention checklist

  • Keep a record of your purchases.

  • Enable two-factor authentication.

  • Use strong, unique passwords (password managers help).

  • Check your bank statements regularly.

If you’ve clicked

  • Contact your bank immediately—fraud lines operate 24/7.

  • Change passwords starting with banking and email accounts.

  • Run a security scan if you downloaded anything.

  • Monitor your credit report for unusual activity.

  • Report to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040 or https://www.actionfraud.police.uk).

  • Keep all evidence: emails, screenshots, reference numbers.

Why these scams work

Fraudsters prey on busy, stressed shoppers—not on “gullible” people. During the holidays, we’re juggling a million tasks, and urgency tricks us into acting fast. Remember:
Legitimate retailers will never:

  • Ask for sensitive details via email or text.

  • Demand you click links to avoid charges.

  • Create artificial urgency.

  • Request you enable content in documents.

If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. That moment of doubt? Listen to it.

Bottom line: Christmas should be about cracker jokes and too many mince pies—not handing your bank details to criminals. Stay alert, stay secure, and keep the festive spirit alive.

 
 
 

Disclaimer - all information in this article was correct at time of publishing.

 

Related articles