'I saved for months to buy my children's Christmas presents - then I discovered it was all a scam'

A mum was left devastated when she thought she was being savvy by budgeting for her children's Christmas presents, only to find out she had been scammed by the online seller weeks before the big day

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Niamh Kirk Features Writer

11:04, 13 Dec 2025

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The mum didn't realise she had been scammed by the seller (stock photo)(Image: Getty Images)

A woman has shared the devastating moment she found out the gifts she had bought for Christmas ended up being a scam after hoping to make her children's Christmas extra magical.

Sarah didn't want to put too much strain on her finances and like many other parents, was hoping to spread the cost over a couple of months and started her festive shopping early. The 28-year-old mother was browsing on Facebook Marketplace when she came across a seller who seemed perfect.

They claimed to be local, friendly, and had plenty of glowing reviews. They had offered her an instalment plan, allowing her to pay 10 a month for the gifts she had chosen that seemed reasonable to Sarah.

[Christmas can be a strain on many families finances (stock photo)]

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Christmas can be a strain on many families finances (stock photo)(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

She said it felt like a safe way to get prepared for the festive season and so over the next few months, she made her payments diligently, eventually sending a total of 170 and each payment brought her closer to her Christmas pressie delivery.

However as the days got closer to December, she reached out to confirm the delivery - only to find her messages were being ignored.

Then came the shock after she discovered she was blocked and sadly the seller had vanished, along with her money and the gifts she had hoped for.

Feeling betrayed and heartbroken, Sarah suddenly realised she had no gifts for her young children. Luckily she was able to get a refund from her bank - but the scam left a huge mark on her. Fake reviews and a convincing profile had created an illusion of trust.

How to avoid Christmas scams

Experts at Nationwide have shared some top tips to avoid falling for these realistic scams, and avoid any Christmas present disasters.

Firstly, they urged people to verify sellers beyond reviews. Scammers often create fake profiles and ratings. Look for verified badges or check if the seller has a long history of genuine activity.

Secondly, it's always safer to buy in person and avoid bank transfers unless you are in person and have the product in your hands. But if you do buy online, they warn to be cautious with informal payment plans.

If its not through a trusted retailer or official scheme, its risky and should be avoided and always report suspicious activity immediately. Contact the platform and Action Fraud to help prevent others from falling victim.

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It's also important to not be rushed, as this is the most consistent red flag across all scam. Instead, they advise to take a little time. Pause and reflect.

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