BLOG: Avoiding Festive scams: How Jenna enjoyed a worry-free December
By Lindsey Reed, Money Management Trainer at TISA
December always seems to arrive in a rush; bright lights, long shopping lists, and the familiar festive excitement. For Jenna, it is her favourite time of year: decorating, spending time with family, and finding the perfect gifts for her loved ones. But last year, she learned just how important it is to stay vigilant during the holiday season.
Spotting the first Red Flag
One evening, while browsing online for gifts, Jenna spotted a gadget at an unbelievable discount. The website looked legit, and the price seemed too good to resist. But something didn’t feel right. The website name was slightly off, and the “https” lock was missing. She paused, trusted her instincts, and closed the tab. Later, she discovered that hundreds of people had been scammed by the same site. That pause saved her from a potential financial headache.
Lessons from Financial Education
Gratefully, she had attended TISA’s Essentials of Money Management workshop at her workplace earlier in the year and had learnt the tell-tale signs of a dodgy deal plus loads more, which helped her recognise the warning signs immediately.
Avoiding phishing attempts
A few days later, Jenna received a message claiming her parcel was being held due to an unpaid customs fee. It looked official, and the sense of urgency was convincing. But she remembered to check her actual order history first. There was no parcel. It was a phishing attempt. By pausing before clicking, she avoided giving scammers access to her details.
The power of planning ahead
Jenna had also learnt the value of planning ahead. Throughout the year, she had budgeted carefully, ensuring she had money set aside for special gifts. That planning meant she could buy generously without worry.
Smart use of Credit Cards
On top of that, she knew that by using her credit card, this gave her extra protection under the Consumer Credit Act (Section 75) for purchases between £100 and £30,000. This gave her peace of mind with every online and in-store purchase. She had also set up her credit card so that her bank automatically paid the full balance every month, ensuring she never incurred interest or charges.
Staying safe while travelling
When it was finally time for her holiday trip abroad, Jenna stayed alert. She enabled transaction alerts through her banking app, only used secure ATMs, and protected her devices with strong passwords. A small, attempted online charge during her trip was instantly flagged, allowing her to freeze her card immediately. Simple precautions like these kept her finances safe while she enjoyed her holiday.
A joyful, stress-free Festive time
By the time Christmas arrived, Jenna felt calm and prepared. She had avoided scams, stayed on top of her spending, and still managed to purchase thoughtful gifts for everyone she cared about. December had been full of joy, not stress, and it was all thanks to careful planning, a little vigilance, and the smart use of her credit card, reinforced by the many lessons she learnt at TISA’s Money Management workshop.
Takeaway for a safer festive season
Jenna’s story is a good reminder for all of us: by budgeting, staying alert online, using secure payment methods, attending financial education workshops, and taking advantage of credit card protections, we can enjoy the holidays without worrying about scams or unexpected charges. A thoughtful, prepared approach means a festive season full of happiness, not financial stress.