Scammers are coming to town

Better watch out, you better beware this Black Friday – scammers are looking to spoil your Christmas.

Christmas shopping season is in full swing and with Black Friday and Cyber Monday imminent, fraudsters are devising new ways to rip you off.

Last year Hertfordshire residents lost more than £420k between November and January, over £200k of this to online shopping and auction sites frauds and retail scams. There were also losses of more than £180k to advance fee fraud, which is where loans are offered by the scammer for an up-front fee. Ticket fraud also accounted for £30k worth of fraud.  

Detective Inspector Katy Jackson, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit, said: “Black Friday is a great time to grab a bargain, unfortunately it’s also a prime time to get scammed. Sometimes the deals on offer are too good to be true, because they aren’t true.

“If you are contacted about an offer, make sure it is legitimate, by checking out the seller online. Don’t click on links in messages, emails or text and try to buy from genuine established companies.”

Hertfordshire Constabulary recommends these top tips to help you prevent fraud and beat the scammers:

• Be suspicious of all ‘too good to be true’ offers and deals.
• Don’t rush into snapping up offers or deals immediately, take some time to check the details before making a decision.
• Don’t hand over money or sign anything until you’ve checked the credentials of the seller or company.
• Never send money to anyone you don’t know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payment you’re not comfortable with.
• Never give banking or personal details to anyone you don’t know or trust. This information is valuable so make sure you protect it.
• Always log on to a website directly rather than clicking on links in an email.
• If you spot a scam or have been scammed, report it and get help.
• Don’t be embarrassed about reporting a scam. Because the scammers are cunning and clever there’s no shame in being deceived. By reporting it, you'll make it more difficult for them to deceive others.

For more information and help and to report fraud, go to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre.

You can also report information online or speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat.