How to beat the festive fraudsters

SHOPPERS are being warned about a spike in purchase fraud ahead of the festive season.

- BY VICKY SHAW

SHOPPERS are being warned about a spike in purchase fraud ahead of the festive season.

TSB's analysis of its data indicated that purchase scams accounted for 63 per cent of bank transfer fraud cases reported between January and September by its customers - up from 52 per cent across the same period last year.

The bank also recorded an 11 per cent annual increase in the volume of purchase fraud cases over the same period. It said that victims lost an average of £452 per scam this year.