Staying Safe from Online Scams in 2025

January 17, 2025

Understanding the Latest Online Scam Trends and How to Protect Yourself

The digital landscape has made life more convenient in many ways, but it has also given fraudsters a wider arena to operate online scams. According to recent research by Barclays, scams are on the rise, affecting millions of consumers across the UK.

The bank reported that in 2024 alone, 18% of consumers fell victim to scams, underscoring the urgent need for awareness and protection.

One in Five Consumers Fell Victim to Online Scams

In the past year alone, one in five consumers (18%) reported falling victim to a scam, with 93% of these incidents occurring online. Beyond direct victims, over a third (34%) of people know someone who has been scammed, including parents (17%) and grandparents (8%). This highlights the wide-reaching impact of fraud on families and communities.

While some individuals managed to identify scams before any money was lost (43%), many others were not so fortunate. Scammers are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics that can make it hard for even the savviest consumers to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent interactions.

The Financial Toll: Investment Scams vs. Purchase Scams

The data shows that investment scams are particularly damaging, accounting for £1 in every £3 claimed by victims. With an average loss of £15,564 per case, investment scams have the highest financial impact. However, they represent only 4% of scam reports.

On the other hand, purchase scams account for three-quarters (74%) of scam claims, though the average loss per victim is significantly lower at £650. These scams typically involve fraudsters tricking consumers into paying for goods or services that don’t exist. Despite the smaller average loss, the sheer volume of cases makes purchase scams a pressing concern.

Data shows Top 10 Scams last year

The research also revealed the most common scams in 2024, ranked based on reports from victims and their contacts:

  1. Fake delivery scams (51%)
  2. HMRC scams (42%)
  3. Purchase scams (40%)
  4. Online marketplace scams (38%)
  5. “Hello Mum” WhatsApp scams (37%)
  6. Investment scams (32%)
  7. Advance fee scams (32%)
  8. Ticket scams (30%)
  9. Parking scams (30%)
  10. Romance scams (30%)

This was similar to data released by NatWest, which we covered in our blog last month.

Overwhelmed Consumers and Evolving Online Scammer Tactics

Over half of Brits (52%) report feeling overwhelmed by the sheer variety of fraud tactics. Social media and tech platforms have become a major breeding ground for scams, with 75% of fraud originating online. This digital surge has left many feeling unsure about their ability to identify scams effectively. For example, while awareness is high for some scams, like fake delivery (83%) and HMRC fraud (80%), fewer people recognize newer threats such as AI cloning scams (62%).

This sense of overwhelm can lead to hesitation in taking action—making it all the more important to seek help when needed and to stay informed.

Protect Yourself in 2025 from Online Scams

Fraudsters are always evolving their tactics but staying informed and vigilant can make all the difference. Be cautious of unexpected messages, offers that seem too good to be true, or requests for personal or financial information. If in doubt, don’t engage—and always double-check the legitimacy of any request.

What to Do If You’ve Been a Victim of APP Fraud

  • Contact your bank immediately to report the fraud
  • Report the incident to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting centre
  • Gather all relevant information and documentation about the transaction
  • Change passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised
  • Monitor your credit report for any suspicious activity
  • If you need further help recovering your losses – consider seeking legal advice or contacting a claims management company

How Compensation Adviser Can Help

As scammers continue to refine their methods, it’s easy to feel helpless.

That’s where Compensation Adviser comes in.

If you’ve been a victim of a purchase scam or Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud, our dedicated Claims Management Company (CMC) service is here to assist you.

We specialize in helping consumers reclaim lost funds and navigate the often-complex process of securing compensation.

With our professional and empathetic approach, we aim to provide clarity and support when you need it most.

Don’t let scammers get the last word—reach out to us today to discuss your situation and explore your options for recovery.

Compensation Adviser is a claims management company specialising in assisting people with financial compensation claims like APP Fraud and Purchase scams.  You can find out more about our claims service here.

IMPORTANT: You do not need to use a claims management company (CMC) to make your complaint to your bank and if your complaint is not successful you can refer it yourself to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) for free.