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70% of Brits have been at risk of these particular scams in recent weeks
Approximately 70% of UK consumers have received scam messages, according to a YouGov survey commissioned by information and insights firm TransUnion in June this year. These appeared to come from trusted sources, such as delivery companies, banks, or government bodies.
More than half of those targeted (56%) believe that the scams utilised AI technology, including fake voices or images. The survey also found that 9% of respondents have lost money to scams impersonating legitimate brands, with 2% still unaware of how the fraudsters carried out their schemes.
Among those who fell victim to these scams, over 10% (11%) reported losing at least £1,000. Consumers have received official-looking communications from banks such as NatWest, Lloyds, Nationwide, and Santander, losing an average of £757.64.
Younger consumers appear to be particularly vulnerable, possibly due to their reliance on mobile messaging. The survey revealed that 13% of individuals aged 25 to 34 and 11% of those aged 18 to 24 have lost money to scams.
The brands most frequently impersonated by scammers in the UK are Royal Mail, with 40% of adults reporting receiving a fake message claiming to be from the company, and Evri, with 38% experiencing similar messages. Delivery fraud, where consumers are informed about a nonexistent upcoming or missed parcel delivery, remains the most common tactic used by fraudsters.
TransUnion chief executive Madhu Kejriwal said: “As fraudsters exploit artificial intelligence, scams are becoming more sophisticated and harder for consumers to spot due to their sheer volume, accuracy and tone.
“These scams don’t just look real, they feel real. Whether it’s a delivery text arriving just when you’re expecting a parcel, or an email that looks like it’s from your bank, it’s more important than ever that consumers stay vigilant.”
The scammers rely on the prevalence of online delivery, banking on the fact that their victims may have a parcel out in the post, and taking a gamble that they would check the notification instinctively.
Chad Reimers, general manager of identity and fraud at TransUnion in the UK and Europe, said: “Consumers should be aware that even if a relatively small sum of money has been lost, it may just be the first phase of the fraudster’s objective.
“In some instances, once fraudsters have access to personal details or login credentials, they will look to ‘take over the account’, leading to further financial withdrawals, applying for additional credit lines and in some cases may even coach or coerce witting or unwitting money mules to shift funds quickly through accounts to launder their ill-gotten gains.
“It is, therefore, important that consumers stay vigilant and immediately report suspicious activity, especially in situations where they suspect their details have been compromised, and not just when money has been taken.”
A recent survey conducted by the financial technology platform Adyen reveals that UK shoppers affected by fraud lost an average of £757.64 over the past year. The data indicates a staggering 144% increase in the amount of money stolen per shopper in the UK, making it the second-highest rate globally, following Canada.
Additionally, Adyen discovered that many consumers are worried about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on fraudulent activities. Nearly one-third (29%) of respondents expressed concern about a heightened risk of fraud and scams.
Brigette Korney, global head of risk and fraud prevention at Adyen, said: “With AI, fraud is a lot harder to detect, because those AI models are able to really replicate what a human would write or say.
“Social engineering kits now write flawless emails, texts and even clone brand sites. Stolen credentials are fed straight into mobile wallets, bypassing many legacy checks. AI-authored lures such as texts or emails are no longer riddled with spelling mistakes; they read like brand-approved marketing copy and are arriving at industrial scale.
“As AI technology is constantly evolving, educating shoppers about its potential impact on fraudulent activities is crucial, especially considering the varying levels of tech-savviness among customers.”
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