Yule Regret It: NatWest creates Scamvent Calendar to highlight festive fraud [Video]

Christmas is the season of giving – and scammers are taking full advantage.

To help Brits outsmart the fraudsters, NatWest has unveiled a cheeky twist on the advent calendar: the Scamvent Calendar.

Behind each of its 12 doors lies an artisan chocolate shaped like the most common “scammable” products of the year, plus tips and tricks to keep you safe when shopping this festive season.

The calendar follows research by the bank that found 41% of British adults report more scam approaches in November and December, with criminals pocketing £85.9 million last year. Phones (26%), event tickets (23%) and gift cards (23%) topped the list as the most common purchase scams, but scammers aren’t picky. Everything from handbags to hoovers could leave you out of pocket and empty-handed.

The calendar also packs expert advice behind every door: skip dodgy pop-ups, scrutinize web addresses, talk to friends and family, never pay by bank …