Watch out for dodgy websites this Christmas

As millions of us head online to buy Black Friday treats and Christmas presents, scammers are waiting to pounce.

Shoppers are being targeted through dodgy websites that pretend to sell the hottest, most in-demand products, often with heavy discounts.

Scammers will then use pressure tactics to encourage to act fast, such as saying these items have almost sold out or that a tempting offer ends shortly.

So as you look to take advantage of seasonal bargains, it’s important to be aware of this threat and take steps to stay safe.

How big is this problem?

Lloyds Bank has reported a sharp surge in the number of fake online stores in the last few months.

In fact, between July and September, it identified an average of 90 rogue traders per month.

That’s up from 45 between January and March this year.

And in October alone, 102 dodgy websites targeting shoppers were spotted.

What can I do if fall victim to dodgy websites?

If you’ve paid for something online and it doesn’t arrive or isn’t as described, a chargeback may help you get your money back.

A chargeback is a type of protection built into debit and credit card payments, which lets your bank try to get your money back if something goes wrong with a purchase.

If you’ve tried to resolve the issue with the seller directly and not got anywhere, you can get in touch with your bank and ask them for help.

They’ll ask the seller’s bank to return the money and you don’t need to deal with the seller directly once the claim is underway. 

Claims usually need to be made within 120 days of the purchase or delivery date. 

If you made the purchase on a Visa card, you can start a claim after 15 days, and after 30 days if you used a Mastercard.

“If you’ve been caught out paying for something that hasn’t arrived, or it’s not what you expected, you might be able to get your money back,” said Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds.

“It is usually possible to raise a chargeback using your bank’s mobile app.

“We can try to get your money back from these rogue sellers and you can get on with looking forward to the festivities.”

How to stay safe from scammers

The last thing you want before Christmas is to fall victim to a scam, so take steps to protect yourself.

Do your research

Always check a seller’s ratings, feedback and history before making a payment.

Avoid clicking links in messages 

These might contain malware or take you to fake websites, so always use the retailer’s official website instead.

Be wary of social media ads

Scammers often use social media to lure people in with tempting ads or posts that lead to fake websites.

Double-check the web address

Bogus websites might have small clues that they aren’t the real deal like small spelling errors or unusual domains.

Avoid bank transfers

Use secure payment methods, such as credit or debit cards, or trusted digital wallets, so you have protection if things go wrong.

Don’t act on impulse

Scammers often want to force you into making a quick decision, so it’s important to think clearly and don’t rush.

And remember the old adage that if something seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

Check out our guide on how to outsmart online scammers for more tips to help you stay safe.

How to report a scam

If you’ve been scammed, you can report it to Citizens Advice and they’ll pass information onto Trading Standards, who’ll decide whether or not to investigate.  

It’s also worth reporting it to Action Fraud on their website or by calling 0300 123 2040.