- The ‘Santander Quarterly Scamtracker’ charts trends in Authorised Push Payment (APP) scam types reported each quarter, the types of customers impacted, and warns of emerging scams.
- More than £19.3 million stolen by scammers in the first three months of 2026, a 25% increase on Q4 2025.
- Pets and animals surge to the second most commonly used purchase scam item – accounting for nearly £160,000 stolen, a 400% increase on the previous quarter.
Santander UK is today launching its latest ‘Santander Quarterly Scamtracker’, which shows scammers have had a busy start to the year, with a total of £19.3 million stolen from customers between January and March 2026. This marks a 25% increase on the amount stolen by criminals in the previous quarter (£15.5 million).
Pet Scams up by 400%
The Scamtracker results for January to March 2026 show an alarming 400% increase in the amount stolen from Santander customers who believed they were purchasing a pet. Nearly £160,000 was stolen from customers responding to listings on social media and online selling platforms offering pets for sale, compared to £29,735 reported in Q4 2025.
On closer inspection, the bank’s data shows that women, and customers aged 46+ were most likely to be targeted.
Common tactics used by scammers included asking for money up front as a deposit, requesting funds to cover delivery of the pet, or money to cover vet bills and immunisations. Claims received by the bank concerned a range of animals, from desirable breeds of cats and dogs – like miniature dachshunds and cockapoo puppies - through to parrots, reptiles, fish and horses.
In total, more than £3.4 million was stolen via purchase scams in Q1 2026. The top five most commonly claimed for items are:
• Cars/Vehicles - £660,960
• Pets/Animals - £158,557
• Electronics/entertainment – £57,386
• Car parts – £47,019
• Sports events/gigs/tickets – £44,675
Chris Ainsley, Head of Fraud Risk Management at Santander UK said: “Scammers have made a troubling start to 2026, with losses rising by 25% compared to the previous quarter. This sharp increase is particularly evident in pet scam cases, where fraudsters are exploiting the UK’s love of animals and the ease of social media marketplaces.
“If 2026 is the year you plan to welcome a furry, feathered or even scaly companion into your home, it’s vital to do your homework. Always research the seller carefully and choose reputable sources. Taking these steps won’t just protect your finances - it also helps ensure your new pet has come from a safe, and responsible environment.”
Tips to avoid falling for a pet scam:
• Be wary of adverts on social media – this is the most commonly used place for criminals to advertise fake pets.
• Do a background check on the seller and the pet – reverse image search any photos to see if the animal has been listed elsewhere.
• Ask to see the animal – an in person visit before committing is the best way to verify the animal exists, any attempts to put you off visiting should be treated as a red flag.
• Be cautious with upfront payments – avoiding paying large deposits or covering vet bills.
- Ends -
The information contained in our press releases is intended solely for journalists and should not be used by consumers to make financial decisions.
Notes to editors:
1) This is the total value of claims received from Santander customers between 1 January and 18 March 2026. This does not account for actual losses to customers or refunds given to customers during this period.
Santander UK is a financial services provider in the UK that offers a wide range of personal and commercial financial products and services. The bank serves its customers via a nationwide branch network, telephone, mobile and online banking.
Santander UK is subject to the full supervision of the FCA and the PRA in the UK. Santander UK plc customers’ eligible deposits are protected by the FSCS in the UK.
Banco Santander (SAN SM) is a leading commercial bank, founded in 1857 and headquartered in Spain and one of the largest banks in the world by market capitalization. The group’s activities are consolidated into five global businesses: Retail & Commercial Banking, Digital Consumer Bank, Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB), Wealth Management & Insurance and Payments (PagoNxt and Cards). This operating model allows the bank to better leverage its unique combination of global scale and local leadership. Santander aims to be the best open financial services platform providing services to individuals, SMEs, corporates, financial institutions and governments. The bank’s purpose is to help people and businesses prosper in a simple, personal and fair way. At the end of 2025, Banco Santander had €1.4 trillion in total funds, 180 million customers, 7,100 branches and 198,000 employees.