Financial institution reveals greatest buy rip-off developments of 2025 and what to watch out for in 2026

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Your assist makes all of the distinction. Learn extra Stories to Lloyds of driving test-related scams have surged by practically 250% over the previous yr, the banking big has mentioned.

Lloyds has revealed the acquisition scams most reported to it in 2025, in addition to the fastest-growing frauds being reported by prospects.

Driving classes and checks topped the listing when wanting on the fastest-growing buy scams, with a 246% improve in reviews to the financial institution between December 2024 and November 2025 in contrast with the identical interval a yr earlier.

It was adopted by scams which declare to supply visas or different official paperwork, which noticed a 114% rise in reviews over the identical interval.

Driving classes and checks had been additionally the fifth most-reported buy rip-off to Lloyds this yr.

Autos and car equipment had been the commonest buy rip-off reported to the financial institution, adopted by ticket scams, garments and equipment, and private gadgets similar to fragrance and hair extensions.

Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds, mentioned: “We alerted folks to driving lesson and check scams earlier this yr, once we began to see reviews climb.

“With excessive demand for classes and lengthy waits for checks, folks turned extra weak to falling for pretend posts on social media.

“At all times use a good teacher and be cautious of adverts on social media which might be suspiciously low-cost, or strain promoting with time-limited presents.”

She added: “We noticed a surge in ticket rip-off reviews this yr, as demand for occasions like Glastonbury, the Oasis tour and main soccer fixtures had been sky excessive, main folks to hunt out hard-to-secure tickets the place they may.

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“Scammers then struck via dodgy social media posts, pretend web sites and on-line marketplaces.”

The comparisons of fraud reviews from Lloyds Banking Group prospects from December 2023 to November 2024, and from December 2024 to November 2025, additionally confirmed some sorts of buy scams fall.

There was a 38% fall in reviews to Lloyds of scams referring to sizzling tubs and a 39% fall in musical instrument rip-off reviews, whereas reviews of gaming console scams declined by 35%.

Ms Ziegler mentioned: “Scorching tubs and gaming consoles, for instance, turned extra common throughout the pandemic and, as purchases have fallen again, so have the scams.

“Nonetheless, we should always all stay vigilant when procuring, sticking with well-knownretailers and avoiding the temptation of suspiciously low-cost presents on social media.”

potential rip-off developments in 2026, she highlighted ticket scams, including: “As one of many prime issues we get fraud reviews about, and with main occasions just like the Fifa World Cup and gigs from Calvin Harris and Robbie Williams developing, scammers shall be out in drive.

“Shopping for from authorised platforms is the one option to assure a real ticket, and should you’re approached on social media or requested to pay by financial institution switch, it’s very more likely to be a rip-off.

“I additionally need folks to watch out when on the lookout for assist on-line with official paperwork, like visas or passport functions.”

She added: “At all times go to official Authorities web sites for assist with necessary paperwork and by no means comply with hyperlinks in sudden emails or texts.”