The National Cyber Security Centre found that 43% of reported shopping scams involved social media platforms, whilst nearly 19% mentioned online marketplaces. Speaking of marketplaces, you’ll need to be careful there too.
Sellers might list items that don’t exist or pressure you to complete transactions outside the platform’s protection. Red flags include sellers without verified reviews, those who refuse to let you collect items in person, or anyone demanding bank transfers.
Finally, watch for bogus delivery notifications.
These messages claim you’ve missed a parcel and need to pay a redelivery charge. If you weren’t expecting anything, especially if there’s a link requesting payment or personal details, it’s likely a scam.
Before you hand over your cash, Monzo advises taking a moment to verify the seller is legitimate.