The UK’s scam hotspots have been revealed, as a whopping four in 10 Brits admit they have never recovered money stolen by fraudsters.
AI scams -including deepfake videos- and fake concert tickets were voted as some of the most common ways people experienced fraud, in a new survey by Yaspa.
AI and concert ticket scams are among the most popular ways fraudsters steal cash
As AI technology continues to improve, there has been an increase in scammers posing as celebs, and fleecing well-meaning Brits out of cash.
Back in June, the Home Office revealed that a whopping £1.6million was lost by Brits getting scammed out of concert tickets in 2024.
Thousands of Oasis fans reported a surge in scams, after the legendary band announced their long awaited reunion tour last year.
Online shopping and Facebook marketplace scams were also cited as some of the most prevalent incidences of fraud.
The survey reveals that London is top of the list of fraud hotspots, with a whopping 41% of residents surveyed reporting being victims of scams in the last 12 months.
Second on the list is Manchester, where 40% revealed they had been targeted by scammers.
Nottingham takes the 3rd spot, with 39% of respondents reporting being victims of scams.
Rounding off the top five, 38% of people in both Cardiff and Bristol reported incidents with fraudsters.
The survey also revealed that, shockingly, only 19% of victims were able to fully recover 100% of what was lost to scams.
The average amount that Brits reported losing was a whopping £765, with the average amount returned at just 34%.
Although AI is making it easier than ever for scammers to exploit people, 75% of Brits believe they are “confident” enough to spot fraud in action.
Sarah Ahle, Head of Compliance & Deputy MLRO at Yaspa said: “Worrying about money and financial stress can be all-consuming, even at the best of times, but if you’ve ever been a victim of fraud or have lost money that you need to get through the month to crime, this feeling can be overwhelming.
“Being able to spot the red flags of a typical scam or being aware of more secure payment methods over others can be vital and easy to learn steps in stopping criminals from getting their hands on your money.”
Top 10 scam hotspots
Percentage of people who claimed to have been the victim of a scam in the last 12 months
1. London 41%
2.Manchester 40%
3. Nottingham 39%
4. Cardiff 38%
5.Brighton 30%
6.Birmingham 37%
7. Bristol 34%
8. Liverpool 35%
9. Leeds 30%
10. Belfast 29%
Source: Yaspa
How to spot scammers
Consumer rights expert Martyn James revealed to Yaspa his top tips for protecting yourself against scams.
Be wary of anything that could potentially be faked, such as websites, phone calls from banks or businesses, and branding
Always verify communications. For example, if you receive a phone call from your ‘bank’, contact them through the details on their official website to make sure you’re not being scammed
Scammers use emotional manipulation such as creating a sense of panic or urgency (i.e pretending to be a family member in need) to get you to send over cash. Always stop and think logically before sending anything over.
Act quickly. If you believe you’ve been the victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately.
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