12 Cons of Christmas - warning as AI delivers hefty bonus for criminals
As criminals take advantage of artificial intelligence and increasingly convincing deepfakes this Christmas season, ITV News Consumer Editor Chris Choi reports on which scams to look out for
Fraud experts have issued new warnings over what they are calling “the 12 cons of Christmas”.
The seasonal scams are expected to cost UK victims more than £200m this year, and the latest technology has given fraudsters a boost.
We visited a cyber-lab in central London which is on the frontline of festive fraud. The evidence is persuasive - AI technology has delivered a hefty Christmas bonus for criminals.
ITV News was able to film examples of the deceptive potential as easily available technology allows fraudsters to change their online appearance, voice and identity.
Simon Horswell, a fraud specialist with the Entrust organisation told us: "We are now at the point where you cannot trust what you see with your eyes.
"If you are in a video call with someone and you're not sure if who you're talking to is genuine, then try and recall a personal memory that the two of you would have - that isn't posted online."
Police at Action Fraud, which spearheads the national fight against scams, has issued a 12 cons of Christmas warning.
Online shopping fraud, courier cons, gift card swindles, charity fraud, social media hacking and romance deception all give criminals an opportunity to cash-in on common Christmas activities.
Meanwhile those engaging in holiday, ticket, investment, pet and QR code fraud, and so called phishing for personal information, take advantage of us being distracted by festive activities.
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The 12 cons of Christmas are expected to earn criminals more than £200m in the UK alone.
One set of scams that peak at Christmas involve bogus jobs. Mihala Lazar saw a social media advert for product reviewers.
Mihala is determined to help others avoid falling into the trap after she lost almost £4,000.
Fraud lawyers warn "'tis the season to be scammed", Martin Richardson from the National Fraud Helpline Solicitors told ITV News, adding: "One of my favourite tips is to ask a friend or a family member to check something out if you're slightly suspicious of it."
The costs of this time of year are high enough without becoming a victim of seasonal scammers. As experts warn that there’s no Christmas break for the fraudsters.
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