Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for scammers in the UK, with fraudster techniques ranging from fake messages to selling products that 'don't exist'.
NatWest has issued a stark warning after data revealed that17 per cent of British adults reported receiving more approaches by scammers around the festive time of the year.
The number of purchase scams in particular, reported by customers, is up by a huge 41 per cent around the Yuletide season.
Purchase scams are when fraudsters sell non-existent products at discounted prices to attract buyers - they peak at the end of the year when shoppers are gift hunting.
A whopping 44 per cent of those surveyed admitted that they worry one misstep with a scammer could result in Christmas being ruined.
Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for scammers in the UK, with fraudster techniques ranging from fake messages to products that 'don't exist' (stock image)
The bank advise that if you stumble across a bargain that seems too good to be true - it's probably because it is.
Customers should do research to find out what the standard price of the goods you're trying to buy are.
You can also search for a company's details on GOV.UK, which will tell you if they're a registered company or not.
5 steps to avoid festive scams
1. Don't trust every bargain. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Research the standard price of the goods you want to buy to gague if the discount sounds reasonable.
3. Check if the firm you're buying from is a registed company by visiting gov.uk
4. Check customer reviews for warnings
5. Check how professional the website looks. Spelling mistakes are a red flag
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Checking the reviews and considering how professional the site looks are also good ports of call - spelling mistakes and grammar errors should be immediate red flags.
Phishing scams are also prevalent at Christmas time. These involve fake emails, texts or calls from someone pretending to be an official company or service, asking for personal and financial information.
You need to also be wary of impersonation scams – where fraudsters contact you from trusted organisations (such as HMRC) saying something is wrong with your account or that you owe a fine or similar.
Finally, refund scams are another to be wary of, where criminals impersonate an organisation saying you're due a refund and asking you to share personal information.
It comes after fraud experts issued fresh warnings over the latest 'hi mum' texts where scammers 'prey on our goodwill with emotive stories' and con parents into thinking their children are in trouble.
The highly effective phone scam plays on parents' fears when scammers send a text message from a different number pretending to be one of their children before asking them to send money.
One error-ridden message sent from a standard UK phone number which was seen by MailOnline this morning read: 'Mum, bad start to the day! Ive dropped my phone, please messge me back here,, (07922221899) once youve seen this!'
Pictured above are examples of scammers posing as children to con parents into sending money
But this message is by no means an anomaly.
In recent weeks, several people have reported receiving similar messages and have shared screenshots of incidents in which they have been targeted by ruthless scammers.
Another message from a regular number said: 'I've been stressed out all morning mum. Please message urgently on 07510884785 xx'.
Meanwhile a longer message said: 'Hi mum, just letting you know I've dropped by phone like an idiot earlier on and it's cracked the screen really bad so I'm on a old phone for the meantime, I would've called but I can't hear anything coming from this phone it's really old but luckily I have insurance so I'll get a new one in about 2 days.'
It appears that the scammers include several errors and 'kisses' in their messages in an attempt to perhaps make the texts more informal or personal.
Other messages shared on social media include one which read: 'Hi Mum this is my new number so save it please. I had to upgrade x'.
While another read: 'Hello Mom, could you please send me a text message on my temporary number 07510884785 as soon as possible? Many thanks! x.'
Data shared to MailOnline by TSB shows that 'Friends and Family fraud' accounts for 53 per cent of all impersonation scams, with 93 per cent originating on WhatsApp.
The average loss for the fraud victim is more than £1,600.
Matt Hepburn, fraud spokesman for TSB, said: 'Friends and family impersonation scammers prey on our goodwill with emotive stories and pleas for urgent financial help, simply to steal money intended for someone close to us.
'If you receive one of these texts, contact the individual directly before engaging any further, and certainly before ever making a payment – as it's highly likely to be a scam.'
