Scams are more sophisticated than ever before, this means it’s crucial that you take the necessary steps to be scam aware.

We know that scams are prevalent no matter what time of the year it is, but they are rife during the colder months in winter.

Here are our top five scams to watch out for this winter, along with our advice to avoid them:

Winter fuel payments 

These pose as text scams which are phishing attempts in which criminals send fake messages asking you to ‘apply’ or ‘update’ details for your payment via their link.

Please be aware that no government department will send you a text message asking for personal information to make this payment. This payment is automatically paid into your bank account. We advise you to not reply to this text or click the link.

Mis-sold car finance 

With pending compensation for those consumers who were mis-sold car finance, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has advised that scammers are pretending to be car finance lenders, your bank or the FCA. They falsely state you are owed compensation and contact you. Your official car finance lender will contact you directly about compensation.

Our advice is to not respond to social media ads, phone calls, or click on links in texts or emails. Always check the organisation’s official website for their contact details and you can search that the company is registered and authorised by the FCA on their website, here.

Romance scams 

Scammers target people, to try to convince them to fall in love with them over a certain amount of time, with the aim of getting the victim to send them money. These scammers will create a back story, for example, they need to pay off debt, pay for a sick relative, and will try to convince the victim to send across money to cover these scenarios.

Usually, these types of scammers target their victims via social media platforms and carry this out over a few months. We suggest that you do not send money to anyone you have never met.

Impersonation scams 

Typically, impersonation scams pose as someone who pretends to be from your electricity/ gas supplier, NIE or NI Water to gain entry into your home.

We advise you to always ask for ID if you’re not sure, and never leave your door unlocked. You can always avail of the Quick Check Service on 101 to check their identity.

Social media ads 

Have you ever seen a product on Facebook Marketplace, that is completely brand new for a seriously good price? Be aware as this could be a scam.

Scammers post ads for brand new/ second hand products or services on social media platforms, and other apps, for example, Vinted. If you see a product in which you are interested in buying and message the seller, the tell-tale sign of a scammer is that they most often want to converse via email/ text/ WhatsApp and want an upfront payment by bank transfer.

Please be aware of unusually low-priced products online and never leave the online platform to make a payment – this means the platform can help you get your money back, if you have been scammed.