Wedding Bells and Red Flags - Online shopping scams fall overall in 2024, although wedding scams rise

It’s a sad news day for scammers, as Lloyds reveals their customers are getting wise to fraudsters' tricks, with reports of online shopping scams fell by a fifth (20%) in the 12 months to the end of September.

Nonetheless, online shoppers should continue to be wary and vigilant - particularly when using social media for purchases - as fraud remains a risk and, while the number of online shopping scam victims has come down, the average amount lost to online shopping scams is up by 13%, to £545.

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It is still social media where shoppers need to be most on their guard, with almost eight in 10 (77%) online shopping scams starting there. Just one company, Meta (the owner of Facebook and Instagram) is responsible for hosting nearly two thirds of purchase scams (65%).

Happily Never After: Unveiling wedding scams

The average amount spent on a wedding has risen nearly 20% over the past three years1, with many engaged couples heading online for competitive prices. Unfortunately, scammers took advantage of those planning their big day, as wedding scams rose by nearly a quarter in the 12 months to the end of September (24%).

Not-so-happy couples lost an average £468 in 2024, on items including wedding dresses, cakes, stationery and favours and suppliers such as photographers. On Facebook, many wedding scams involve personalised wedding supplies, such as robes, slippers and bridesmaid gifts.
 

The scammers way to help people lose pounds

Lloyds data showed scams involving medication rose temporarily earlier this year, up 71% in the 12 months to the end of March 2024, compared to the previous year.

The medications involved in this increase in reports varied from prescription medications to over-the-counter tablets such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, alongside weight loss related medications - the latter rising a staggering 291%.

Scam reports relating to medication have fallen since then, possibly due to the wider, legitimate availability, of certain medications.
 

Liz's 2025 Scam Predictions

Liz Ziegler, Fraud Prevention Director at Lloyds, shares her views on scams to watch out for in 2025.

“One online shopping con that exploded earlier this year was medication scams. Fraudsters are always looking for new ways to cash grab, and weight loss medications have had more of a spotlight on them this year, as they’ve become more widely available. Buying medications online, especially on social media, isn’t just risky for your health, but your finances too. While reports have since fallen, my advice is always to avoid buying health products on social media completely, as it’s unlikely to be legitimate and, even if a product does arrive, you can’t guarantee it’ll be safe - it’s scandalous that fraudsters are able to use these platforms to advertise and sell products that have the potential to cause serious harm.”

“I’d also continue to guide people to be very careful when buying tickets to events online. As we mentioned earlier this year, we received huge spikes in fraud reports relating to tickets for Taylor Swift’s tour and again when Oasis announced theirs. Buying from reputable, authorised platforms is the only way to guarantee you’re paying for a genuine ticket and being asked to pay by bank transfer, particularly if you’re speaking to a seller over social media, is a huge red flag.”

“And, if you’re in the market for a motor, be wary – we get regular reports about vehicle scams, particularly people trying to purchase a Ford Fiesta online. Used car buyers should always ask to see the seller’s V5C logbook to verify the seller is legitimate, never hand over money without seeing the vehicle in person and – if you’re the seller – always independently check the money has been received into your bank account before handing over the keys.”

Liz’s tips to stay safe from online shopping scams

· Pay attention to warnings from your bank: If we alert you when setting up payees or making unusual payments, follow the advice given.

· Always exercise caution on social media: It’s hard to verify the authenticity of profiles or the products they are selling.  Remember, most online shopping scam reports we receive relate to things purchased through Facebook or Instagram.  If the seller is offering expensive goods at cut-down prices or has items that are otherwise unavailable – it’s a major red flag.

· Avoid high-pressure tactics: If a seller is rushing you or sending numerous messages, take a moment to reconsider. This behaviour often indicates pressure selling.

· Be cautious with unsolicited offers: If someone you don’t know contacts you with an offer, stay alert. Trustworthy sellers typically don’t need to reach out this way.

· Shop with well-known retailers: The safest online shopping experience comes from buying from reputable retailers. 

· Never buy medication from social media as there is no guarantee it is safe or effective.