As we step into 2025, staying vigilant against suspicious online activity is more crucial than ever.
This year, people should watch out for fraudulent activity on Facebook Marketplace, cryptocurrency cons, fake ticket sales for major events, impersonation schemes, and a new scandal involving car finance reimbursements.
Baz Thompson, head of fraud investigations at Metro Bank, told This is Money: “Fraud is always evolving, and with criminals now exploiting AI and machine learning, we expect scams to become increasingly sophisticated.”
Thompson also noted that although procedures are in place to mitigate the impact of fraud, they are not foolproof, and individuals must take extra precautions to protect themselves.
The bank has predicted five scams that everyone should be wary of this year.
After Christmas, fraudsters will be exploiting those looking for a deal on buying unwanted gifts by using Facebook Marketplace to sell counterfeit gifts or list nonexistent items.
“In the last 12 months we have seen an increase in fraudulent merchants offering goods for sale at attractive prices and then convincing the customers to purchase,” a spokesman for Metro Bank said.
People should also be wary of crypto or bitcoin scams after the currencies surged in popularity following Donald Trump’s election in the US in November.
These types of investments are high-risk, and scammers often capitalise on this rush to buy by promoting fraudulent online broker platforms and promising unrealistic returns.
Off-platform ticket sales
In 2024, major music events like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour created prime opportunities for scammers selling counterfeit tickets.
This year, with Glastonbury and a highly anticipated Oasis performance on the horizon, scammers are sure to target those eager to secure tickets.
Anyone looking for a resale ticket should make sure they only buy through reputable websites.
Last year saw a rise in criminals bombarding victims with messages that appear to be from a trusted organisation, such as their bank or HMRC.
In 2025, Which? has warned people to watch out for more sophisticated use of technology by online criminals, who may use AI generated images and tools such as ChatGPT to accurately portray a legitimate company.
Car finance reimbursement scandal
Metro Bank has urged people to watch out for scammers who claim that car dealers have hidden commission payments made when the victim purchased a vehicle from them.
Texts claim that the victim is entitled to compensation and motorists are encouraged to sign up to a scheme that it claims will get their money back, but is actually designed to harvest their bank details.
If you receive a message about mis-sold car finance, you should take extra care and never give out your details if you feel uncomfortable or pressured.
Have you lost money to a scam? Contact National Fraud Helpline. Call 0333 0033218 or fill out our Claim Form.