I spoke to Richard Daniels, a fraud expert at TSB Bank, last week, who emphasised the heavy emotional toll these cruel scams can have. He said: “Christmas can be a time where people seek a connection – and fraudsters aim to capitalise on this with fake online profiles to lure people into a relationship that simply doesn’t exist.”

The stories are familiar. They claim to be stuck overseas, serving in the Army, working on an oil rig, or saving lives as a doctor, always with a reason they can’t meet, and always in urgent need of money.

The numbers are grim. Lloyds Bank research showed romance scams among victims over 55 rose by 52% in the past year. Cases involving 35- to 44-year-olds were up 20%. Those aged 75-84 lost the most, a staggering £8,068, while across all age groups, the typical loss was £5,219. The most targeted group remains people aged 55-64, accounting for one in five victims.

If you find yourself striking up a new connection online – or hear that a friend or loved one has – a few interactions should set alarm bells ringing. The first being a “rapid declaration of love”. Fraudsters like to profess their love very quickly. Endless excuses to avoid video calls or meeting in person should also raise suspicion.

Then there’s the clincher – requests for money. No matter how convincing the story, never transfer cash to someone you haven’t met. Watch for inconsistencies too – changing details, muddled timelines, and stories that don’t quite add up.

The best defence is always getting a second opinion. If an online relationship starts to feel intense, secretive, or financially demanding, talk it through with a friend or family member.

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DEAL OF THE WEEK

Sainsbury’s is offering some classic vegetables for 15p each with Nectar. Available from today until Christmas Eve, customers with Nectar cards can stock up on seasonal vegetables, including carrots, brussels sprouts, potatoes, cabbage, parsnips and swede for cheaper.

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In just two weeks’ time, energy bills will rise again for seven million households. You’ll feel the impact of this immediately if you’re on a standard variable tariff, which track the price cap. Those on fixed-rate tariffs will be spared the increase, which makes now a good time to check if you’ll benefit from fixing if you haven’t already.

Right now, there are around 27 fixed deals cheaper than the January price cap, which is set to rise by 0.2% and remain in place until March 2026. The cap, which is reviewed every three months by regulator Ofgem, will increase on January 1, pushing the average annual bill for a dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit to £1,758 per year.

However, according to comparison site Uswitch, the cheapest fixed deal on the market could save households around £233 per year at the time of writing, compared with the new cap level. Use a website like Uswitch or MoneySavingExpert to compare energy deals and see how much you can save.

If you still don’t fancy fixing your tariff, it’s crucial to at least submit a meter reading before January 1 to avoid having to foot a larger-than-necessary energy bill in the new year.

Homes on standard tariffs with average usage are expected to spend £166 on energy in January, up from £140 in December, reflecting both higher unit prices and increased winter consumption. For anyone on a standard tariff without a smart meter, failing to provide a reading before January risks suppliers estimating usage – potentially charging some lower-cost December energy at January’s higher rates.

Set a reminder on December 30 or December 31 to submit a reading and start the new year on the front foot energy-wise.