So far in 2022 more than 40 million UK consumers are thought to have been targeted by digital fraudsters. This is a double-digit increase from the same time last year.
In May, Citizens Advice commissioned a poll of over 2000 adults in the UK asking if they had been contacted by scammers since the start of 2022.
14% more people than last year said that they had been targeted in an attack. The most common scams included delivery/postal services (55%), government spoofing (41%), and investment fraud (29%).
Citizens Advice warned that fraudsters are gearing up to take advantage of the cost-of-living government crisis package.
The charity’s chief executive Clare Moriarty said, “we know scammers prey on our worries and fears and the cost-of-living crisis is no exception. Anyone can be targeted by a scam, and as the purse strings are tightened and financial pressures pile on, it’s more important than ever we recognize the red flags”
“By reporting scams and sharing our own experiences, we can work together to protect ourselves and each other.”
Citizens Advice urged users to think carefully if presented with too-good-to-be-true online offers and to take a step back if they feel rushed into making a decision, have been told they may pay in an unusual way, or are asked for personal information.
Data was released last week that revealed that scam delivered via smartphone messaging services have become increasingly popular.
