I love Christmas. But when I was a fraudster, I REALLY loved Christmas.

And that is why people must be extra vigilant at this time of year.

My criminal gang used to do a lot of careful research in the run-up to Christmas. At the start of December we would telephone companies, pretending to be local event organisers interested in helping them plan their festive parties. Of course, we knew that, at this 11th hour, most companies had already planned their staff meals. But we simply wanted to know on which date the office would be manned only by a skeleton staff whilst everybody else “made merry” (to quote Ebeneezer Scrooge)!

Armed with the dates of the parties for dozens of companies, I struck.

Late in the afternoon on each date, I would telephone the “Accounts” department of each organisation and launch my usual APP fraud patter:

“I’m calling from your bank and we’ve noticed some unusual transactions on your account. We need to take steps to help you protect your money” etc.

These festive frauds were hugely successful because the payments clerks were isolated. They were distracted by their own Christmas preparations. And, at no cost, did they want to disturb their bosses during the Christmas party.

ISOLATION and DISTRACTION are key tactics used by fraudsters.

I urge you all to stay vigilant this Christmas. Do not feel isolated. If in any doubt, hang up and call your bank. In the UK, dial 159*. Phone the police.

And for God’s sake, don’t worry about disturbing your colleagues (even if they are in the pub doing karoke)!

*159 is the UK's centralised telephone service to call where you suspect someone is trying to defraud you. Call that single number and you will be transferred to your bank's security team so you don't have to remember the number and, more importantly, you don't feel tempted to call a number the fraudster has given you.