Keeping you and your gadgets safe this winter!

Christmas is just around the corner. But, while we shop for our loved ones, how can we be sure that what aren’t being scammed?

As shoppers, it's fair to say cases of fraud are always expected to rise during the build-up to Christmas.

In 2021 for example, more than half of the population* was targeted by scammers, from counterfeit online deals, to bank transfer requests, fake delivery drivers and more.

With unable to recognise a scam and even more worried about being a victim to theft this Christmas, we want to make sure everyone shops safely this Christmas.

Therefore, we have put together some pointers on how to spot a fake below:

Fake staff

Reports of fake delivery drivers and police storming houses and stealing parcels started to rise during lockdown a few years ago and remain rife.

The same advice remains as it did back then: to be vigilant, you should ensure that your front door has a chain so there isn’t easy access, and - if you are able - you could invest in a video doorbell to pre-empt a fraudster.

Check in with any family members to see if they are expecting a delivery and if not, open a window or speak through the video doorbell for any communications.

Do not open the door if you are in any doubt, or if their uniform doesn’t look legitimate to what you’re used to.

Fake online deals

Shopping events such as Black Friday, Boxing Day and the January sales attract millions of shoppers to take advantage of Christmas bargains.

However, being aware of fake deals and e-commerce sites is vital, as scammers use illegitimate sites to make money.

Use review sites such as Trust Pilot as others will have shared their problems with receiving goods, plus it will highlight the verdict of any unknown stores.

Fake Email requests

If we go back to the first half of 2021 for an example, £355 million* was lost to push-payments - and people need to be even more cautious of this at Christmas.

If a text or email is unprompted or unrelated to any of your recent activities, avoid it. When it comes to email you should double check the email address and, if it isn’t from your bank or an official party such as Royal Mail, delete it or double check with your bank.

Alternatively, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to report it.

Scammer calls

Scammer calls are rife in today's world - with on average three out of five 75-year-olds and over being victimised.

You should report any scam calls to Action Fraud immediately and contact your bank if you’re suspicious of a payment.

If you’re on the phone to a suspected scammer, you should ask for full details of the person calling.

If you ask to speak to their manager for confirmation or bury deeper into why they are calling you, they will soon give up on the situation if they know you’re being savvy.

Fake products

When buying gifts for friends and family this Christmas, ensure the goods aren’t counterfeit if buying second-hand, or from an unfamiliar store.

If the product doesn’t look like what you’re used to, check the dimensions and sizes to see if they match the original.

If there is a significant difference in price or if the design specs aren’t the same as the product you’re looking for, you should shop elsewhere.

The amount of burglaries taking place is on the rise and it’s really important to be extra vigilant at this time of year.

Christmas is a notorious time for crime, with long nights and lots of deliveries and presents in homes. Indeed, police forces across the country are warning people to protect their belongings and properties.

Former convicts have shared what the key signs are that draw a burglar to a home, and have provided some expert advice to protect your home this Christmas:

Repeat Business

After visiting a house previously, burglars state that it is likely they will strike there again. Burglars come back to the same houses quite often - and they do this because of a number of motives.

It’s guaranteed that the people they had previously robbed have replaced the items they stole the first time, and often these replacements are of better quality than the original.

Thieves know the layout of a house they have previously burgled so will use this knowledge to their advantage, and in the lead up to Christmas, this can lead them to escape with lots of valuables in a streamlined and clinical robbery.

For anyone that has been a victim, you should make sure that there is added security in place - such as CCTV and burglar alarms.

Plans on social media

Ex-burglars have admitted that they used Facebook to see when people are away.

When you are on holiday at Christmas or visiting family, you really shouldn't advertise that your house is unoccupied.

Instead, post pictures with your loved ones once you have returned - or else a burglar will have optimum time to plan their theft. This includes geotagging on stories, as a thief can work out how far away you are from home.

Help from a neighbour

With lots of deliveries in the run up to the big day, a former burglar has described how boxes outside a house encourage them.

Whether at work or doing further Christmas shopping, parcels on a doorstep are a clear sign of a vacant property.

The majority of couriers offer the option to choose a safe space, such as in a bin or with a neighbour.

You should try to avoid getting a delivery person to leave a box outside, or else you advertise that nobody is home.

Valuables in site

Christmas means houses full of presents - and burglars have stated that they know people love to show off their decorations and trees.

This can include having gifts that can easily be spotted through a window.

It doesn’t matter if a present is wrapped, it is easy access to new and often valuable items.

Even if it is just boxes of chocolate and candles, a burglar will likely take their chance as they know they can lift tens of gifts and be gone in seconds.

It's recommended that you keep gifts out of site until Christmas Day, or instead placing trees further away from windows.

So, keep the surprise alive and ensure that your gifts reach their desired destination!

One of your Customer Ambassadors wanted us to share with you important information about Lithium batteries to help ensure you stay safe in your homes.

With Christmas on the horizon and new gadgets being gifted, we have done some research and wanted to share this with you.

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in everyday devices such as mobile phones, laptops, e-cigarettes, and toys.

When used properly, they are safe and convenient to use. However, they can pose a fire risk when overcharged, short-circuited or damaged.

Here are some tips to help keep you and your home safe:

1. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Avoid charging your device around flammable materials such as a bed, pillow, couch, or paper.

3. Charge your device with the power cord that comes with it.

4. Charge your device on a hard flat surface where heat can dissipate.

5. Never keep lithium-ion batteries near heat sources or in high temperatures such as direct sunlight.

6. Unplug your charger once it’s finished charging.

7. Do not charge them while asleep.

8. If a battery is warm, allow it to cool down before charging it.

9. If you notice your battery is damaged, make sure you replace it.

10. Never throw lithium-ion batteries in the rubbish. Take them to a battery recycling location.

11. Ensure smoke alarms are fitted in areas where e-bikes or e-scooters are being charged.

12. Never block your escape route with anything, including bikes and scooters. Store them away from a main through route.

We hope these tips help you stay safe!

As winter sets in and the days get shorter and colder, there's a bigger chance of house fires.

People light candles, use stoves, and make fires to keep warm.

Indeed, last year from October to January, around 9,371 fires happened each month in the UK.

November had 11,744 fires alone!

So, here are ten important tips for a safe Christmas for you, your family and neighbours:

1. Check your fire alarm and its battery regularly to be sure it's working.
2. Look at your fairy lights before using them. If they're damaged, don't leave them on when you're away for a while.
3. Blow out all candles before going to bed or leaving home.
4. Make sure fires are completely out before sleeping to avoid chimney fires at night.
5. Plan an escape route for everyone in case of a fire.
6. Don't smoke in bed and dispose of cigarettes and ash safely. Smoking caused 8% of house fires last year.
7. Use fireproof safes for important stuff like papers and money during a fire.
8. After cooking during busy times like Christmas, check ovens and stoves are turned off. Cooking caused 42% of house fires.
9. Be extra careful if you've had alcohol. Check appliances and fires before sleeping.
10. Keep an eye on flames and don't leave them alone for too long.

In winter, the risk of house fires goes up because we use more heat.

Stay safe by being careful with fire!