Patchen Noelke, Vice President of Marketing at Hiya
“Christmas shopping and sales are in full swing and this season is the perfect opportunity for Brits to buy gifts for loved ones and reflect on the year. Unfortunately, this time also serves as an optimal time for fraudsters to get festive — and deceptive.
Hiya’s Q4 2023 Global Call Threat Report revealed Amazon scams were the most popular phone scam during the holidays in the UK. As online shopping, travel, and digital activity ramp up this Christmas, it’s vital for consumers to stay vigilant and protect themselves from these evolving threats.
How UK Telecos Are Protecting You
Many telecom service providers in the UK now offer scam prevention services to help you stay one step ahead of fraudsters. These AI-powered tools block fraudulent calls and flag potential scams in real-time, empowering you to make informed decisions. Look out for:
- BT’s Enhanced Call Protect
- EE’s Scam Guard
- O2’s Call Defence
- Virgin Media’s Adaptive AI Fraud Protection
If you’re unsure whether these services are available to you, contact your provider to learn more. Alternatively, you can download applications such as Caller ID & Block, which offers similar scam protection features.
Tips to Stay Scam-Safe
Even with these tools, it’s important to remain cautious. Follow these practical tips to protect yourself and your family:
- Be cautious with personal information
Never share personal or financial details over the phone unless you’re absolutely sure of the caller’s identity. Scammers often impersonate trusted organisations like banks, government agencies, or businesses. Remember, legitimate institutions will never request sensitive information over the phone.
- Check your privacy settings
Tighten privacy settings on social media platforms, particularly for video-based apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube. Setting accounts to private reduces the chances of scammers accessing personal information.
- Protect against voice cloning
Scammers can clone voices with as little as three seconds of audio. Remove personal voicemail messages and opt for automated ones instead.
- Create a family “safe word”
Establish a safe word or phrase with your loved ones for emergencies. This ensures that if someone calls you claiming to be a family member, you can verify their identity before responding.
- Pause before you act
Scammers often pressure you with a sense of urgency. Take a moment to think, verify the details, and avoid sharing information. Hang up if you’re unsure, and don’t return the call—reach out to the organisation directly through verified contact details instead.
- Spot the red flags
Be wary of calls with vague greetings, urgency, requests for payment or personal details, and poor grammar or spelling. When in doubt, trust your instincts—hang up and verify the claim independently.”
Final Thoughts
The holiday season is a time for celebration, but it’s also a prime opportunity for fraudsters to exploit our goodwill and busy schedules. By leveraging the scam prevention services offered by telecom providers and staying vigilant with the tips outlined above, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to call fraud. Remember, the best defense is a combination of awareness, caution, and proactive steps to safeguard your personal information. Stay safe, and enjoy a scam-free Christmas!