Scam-tember: Majority of Brits Fear Fraud Amid September’s Post-Holiday Rush

Take Five to Stop Fraud is urging the public to stay vigilant against fraud as the common “back to the grind” feeling in September might increase their susceptibility to scams.

The post-holiday rush in September often leads to divided attention, raising the risk of falling for fraudulent schemes. Recent data from the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign reveals that half of the people surveyed (50%) feel busier after returning from a holiday. One-third admitted that being busy makes them more likely to take risks on cheap deals or financial offers (34%) and more prone to losing focus or neglecting to verify the details of communications they receive (46%), all of which could leave them vulnerable to fraud.

Three in five people (59%) express concern about becoming victims of fraud, with nearly a third (31%) reporting they received an attempted scam over the summer. One in eight (12%) encountered two or more scams.

Commenting on the findings, Paul Maskall from the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign said:

“We understand that being busy and distracted can make us more susceptible to fraud attempts by criminals. September is a hectic time as people get back into their routines, so it’s crucial to stay alert to fraudsters and to question any requests that seem suspicious. Criminals are skilled at posing as trusted individuals or organizations, often trying to rush or panic us. The best advice is to follow the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign’s guidance: stop and think when someone asks for your money or personal information.”

The Take Five research also highlights that concerns extend beyond personal vulnerability. Over three-fifths (61%) of respondents worry that their friends and family members might fall victim to fraud when they’re busy or distracted.

Emphasizing the importance of pausing and talking with loved ones, the research showed that respondents felt most comfortable discussing unexpected requests for money or personal information with a spouse (41%) or a friend (27%). To support this, Take Five is organizing a series of three pop-up events, encouraging people to take a moment to stop and think.

These pop-ups, located in busy areas of London, Manchester, and Glasgow, will feature mind-reading technology that allows participants to pour a drink by clearing their minds and focusing on the task, illustrating the power of taking a moment to stop and think.

Renowned trickster Harry Clark, winner of the TV show The Traitors, will be at the London event at King’s Cross station to offer tips on avoiding scams, particularly when people are at their busiest.

Harry Clark said, “Criminals are experts at deceiving people into believing they are trustworthy. While I’ve had success in tricking people on TV, I’ve also been a victim of fraud and understand how serious it can be. That’s why I’ve teamed up with Take Five to Stop Fraud to help educate everyone on staying safe. Taking a moment to stop and think when confronted with a request for money or information can really protect you.”

To help people stay safe, the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign advises:

STOP: Take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information—it could keep you safe.

CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse, or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.