Fraud incidents jumped from 3.2 million between April 2023 and March 2024 to 4.2 million between April 2024 and March 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics, which collects crime data.
At some point you may well come across a scam. If you end up losing money to a scam, contact your bank immediately using the number listed on your card.
Biggest scams of 2025
According to Which? these are some of the biggest scams of this year:
- Deepfake scam calls using artificial intelligence (AI) to create or manipulate the caller’s voice were big in 2024 and again in 2025
- Dodgy adverts promoting dubious health products are on social media
- Job scams known as task scams, that “lure you in with the promise of high earnings in return for remote, simple work that requires no experience”.
- Cloud storage: Cybersecurity company Check Point has stated that “the most common phishing attacks between January and March 2025 impersonated technology companies”.
- Online shopping scams involving dubious retailers using fake images who then send nothing at all or con people with cheap imitations.
- Subscription traps, with “unauthorised recurring payments to random companies have been appearing on people’s bank accounts”.
- Government impersonation scams
Fake customer service scams
It has been noted that it is often your instinct to seek help when problems arise, and consequently fake customer service scams exploit your predicament by using cloned websites, fake listings, and social media traps to deceive you.
Scams like these convince you to share sensitive information or grant access to your devices by creating an illusion of legitimacy. Anxiety or frustration or another emotional vulnerability, makes it easier for scammers to get through your defences. The damage they cause can be severe and immediate, “leading to financial loss or identity theft”.
It is important to protect yourself and this means being cautious: avoid sharing personal data, stay alert to common red flags and always verify contact information. Customer service you can trust will never demand secrecy, urgency, or blind compliance. Steady verification and awareness are always your best defences against these developing threats.
Which? has stated that scammers, using fake customer service accounts on social media, are impersonating couriers and retailers to “trick customers into sharing their personal data”.
Which? has found scammers posing as real customer service agents on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. They have found the following:
- Scam Pretty Little Things accounts on Instagram
- Fake retailer and courier accounts rife on X
You can find out how to make a faulty goods complaint here.
How to spot the scams
Which? recommends that you do “due diligence before handing over any personal information on these channels. Before replying or sending over any personal information, check the company’s official website for links to its social media profiles”.
Ticket fraud
After a year of sold out and high profile events, there has been a surge in ticketing fraud. The Home Office has gone as far as issuing a warning in June to be careful when looking for last-minute tickets.
To be safe from your account from being hacked, Which? recommends that you:
- don’t use the same password across different accounts, create secure passwords and use a reputable password manager
- download antivirus software on your devices
- update your devices: updates include protection from viruses
- set up two-factor authentication (2FA) or two-step verification (2SV). This is when you provide a separate form of identification; such as a code sent via text when you log into an account.
Avoid fake Facebook competitions
Which? have also warned that Facebook users are being “lured into expensive monthly subscriptions by scammers peddling ‘mystery boxes’ and cheap goods from retailers such as Boots, Decathlon and Screwfix”.
If you are scammed and need to get your money back you can use the Financial Ombudsman Service.
And if possible please report the scam to Action Fraud or by calling the Police on 101 if you live in Scotland.
Scam Sharer tool
For information on how to share scam warnings and help protect others, see Which?’s Scam Sharer tool.
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