How loneliness makes you vulnerable to scams – especially at Christmas

Christmas can be a difficult time for many, especially if you’re feeling lonely.  

Unfortunately, scammers also know this and use it to their advantage by targeting those who are isolated. By pretending to be your friend or loved one, they trick you into sharing sensitive details. 

Research from the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign shows that over half (58%) of people in the UK feel lonely at times, making them more vulnerable to fraud.  

Impersonation and romance scams on the rise  

Impersonation and romance scams are rising, with romance scams up by 17% in 2023.  

In the first half of 2024 alone, over £65m was lost to these scams. 

What is an impersonation scam?  

A fraudster pretends to be someone you trust, like a friend, family member, or even a company representative.  

They’ll contact you by email, text, phone, or social media, asking for money or personal details.  

In 2023, victims of impersonation scams lost an average £3,000. 

Top tips to spot and avoid impersonation scams 

•  Check the contact details: be wary of unknown numbers or emails. Always verify the sender, especially if they claim to be someone you know. 

• Don’t send money: your bank or the police will never ask you to transfer money. Ignore any urgent payment or download requests. 

• Verify refund forms: if you're asked to fill out a form, contact the company directly through their website to make sure it's legitimate. 

• Be cautious with cold callers: never download software or give access to your devices, no matter who they say they are. 

• Pause and verify: if someone claims to be a friend, contact them directly to confirm their identity. 

What are romance scams?  

Romance scams are on the rise too. Criminals create fake profiles on dating sites to build an emotional connection.  

Once they have your trust, they’ll ask for money, gift cards, or expensive gifts. If you get suspicious, they disappear. 

According to the Take Five to Stop Fraud data, more than half (53%) of people admit they trust strangers online, which scammers exploit.  

Even more concerning, almost a quarter (24%) say they have no one to turn to for help if they suspect a scam. 

What you can do this Christmas? 

The Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign urges everyone to be extra cautious, especially at Christmas.  

You should stop and think before sharing money or personal details and look out for friends, family, or neighbours who may be vulnerable. 

Giles Mason, spokesperson for the campaign, said: 

“Fraud is a terrible crime that preys on people’s vulnerabilities. During the Christmas period, loneliness can leave people more susceptible to scams. Criminals are very cunning and will try to exploit the goodwill and emotions of the season to build trust and manipulate their victims.”   

How to protect yourself from scams: 

• Stop: take a moment before giving away money or personal details. 

• Challenge: ask yourself, could it be a scam? Only criminals rush or panic you. 

• Protect: if you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0330 123 2040. 

For more tips on avoiding scams and what to do if you think you’ve been scammed, head to our outsmart a scammer guide.