Know the risks. Protect yourself and your loved ones this festive season.

Scams can happen to anyone. During winter and the festive period, criminals may take advantage of increased online shopping, parcel deliveries, charitable giving, winter support payments and spending on gifts, tickets and events.

To coincide with International Fraud Awareness Week, from 15 to 21 November 2026, the London Borough of Bexley is launching its 12 Scams campaign to help residents recognise scams and protect their personal information.

The campaign was developed following concerns raised by older residents and organisations working with older people through Bexley’s Elder Voices Partnership Board. While anyone can be affected by a scam, older people may be particularly targeted, including through telephone calls, doorstep approaches and messages offering financial or energy support.

The message is simple:

  • stop
  • check
  • seek advice if something doesn't feel right

People should be particularly cautious about unexpected requests for money or personal information, pressure to act quickly, or offers that appear too good to be true.

Help protect older relatives, friends and neighbours by talking openly about scams, checking suspicious messages or calls together, and encouraging a second opinion before taking action.

12 scams to look out for this winter

1. Parcel delivery scams

Unexpected texts or emails may claim you missed a delivery or need to pay a small fee.

Stay safe: Don’t follow the link. Check deliveries through the company’s official website or app. Forward suspicious texts to 7726 for free.

2. Fake shopping websites

Fake websites and social media adverts may offer popular gifts at unusually low prices.

Stay safe: Check the web address, independent reviews and payment protection. Check that the retailer provides a genuine physical address on their website. If an offer looks too good to be true, stop and check.

3. Bank impersonation scams

A caller or message may claim your account is at risk and tell you to move money to a “safe account”.

Stay safe: A genuine bank will not pressure you to transfer money. End the call and use the number on the back of your bank card, or call 159.

4. Family emergency scams

A message may appear to come from a relative using a "new phone" who urgently needs money.

Stay safe: Contact your relative using the number you already have saved. Ask a question only the genuine person would know the answer to.

5. Fake charity appeals

Scammers may use fake collections, emails or websites to take advantage of festive generosity and seek donations.

Stay safe: Check the charity’s name and registration number on the Charity Commission register. Never feel pressured to donate immediately.

6. Winter payment and energy scams

Unexpected messages may offer grants, rebates or winter support in exchange for personal or bank details.

Stay safe: Don’t provide information through the message. Check schemes independently through GOV.UK.

7. Rogue traders and doorstep scams

Unexpected callers may offer roofing, guttering, insulation, gardening or home repairs.

Stay safe: Don’t agree to work by these traders at the door, and do not contact traders via leaflets delivered through the door without checking. Research the trader, obtain at least three quotes and avoid paying large amounts upfront. Check that the trader provides a genuine physical address. Find a reliable local trader.

8. AI scams

Criminals can use artificial intelligence (AI) to copy a person’s voice, image or writing and pretend that someone you know needs urgent help.

Stay safe: Pause and contact the person directly. Agree a family ‘safe word’ to help confirm someone’s identity. Find out more about AI scams through the National Trading Standard’s AI Scam Watchlist.

9. Prize, lottery and gift card scams

A message may claim you have won a prize or tell you to buy gift cards to make a payment.

Stay safe: Genuine prizes do not require advance payment. Never give gift card codes to someone you don’t know.

10. Fake ticket and event scams

Scammers may advertise fake or duplicated tickets for concerts, pantomimes and Christmas events.

Stay safe: Buy tickets from official sellers. Be careful with social media resale offers and pressure to pay quickly.

11. Friendship and relationship scams

Loneliness can increase during the festive period and criminals can exploit this. Someone met online may gradually build trust before asking for money, often using an urgent or emotional story.

Stay safe: Never send money to someone you have not met and independently verified. Talk to someone you trust before taking action.

12. Investment and pension scams

Unexpected callers or adverts may promise high returns, cryptocurrency opportunities or early access to pension savings.

Stay safe: Don’t be pressured to invest quickly. Check the organisation on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register and seek regulated guidance.

More Information and Advice

Anyone concerned about a possible scam can contact the Citizens Advice consumer service for help and advice on 080 8223 1133 or online through its scams advice website. 

Fraud can be reported to Report Fraud on 030 0123 2040 or you can report fraud online, while suspicious emails can be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk.

For further guidance, including resources in different languages, visit the Friends Against Scams website, where you can use their scam checker, called Ask Silver and sign up for scam alerts.