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people Banks are warning those looking to make up the January payday gap by taking on extra work or a “side hustle” to beware of scams.
Santander UK The company said that according to its data, more than £95,000 was stolen from customers between October and December 2025 by criminals providing money to complete “missions”.
Some scammers promise money in exchange for liking or sharing social media influencer videos, often initially offering small payments to lure consumers.
Criminals may simply ask for an upfront payment.
People may also be asked to download another messaging app to connect with other “members” (such as “receptionists” or “mentors”) and open an account on the encrypted platform.
Scam victims are asked to use their own money to complete tasks they need to pay upfront to access, with the promise of higher returns. Criminals will ask victims to deposit money into an account controlled by the scammer.
They will then be blocked from withdrawing the funds, usually by being told that their “credit score” is below the threshold for withdrawing cash and that more money will be required to release the cash.
People aged 20 to 55 are often targeted, and Santander warns criminals often lie about being from legitimate companies to gain people’s trust.
Chris Ainsley, head of fraud strategy at Santander UK, said: “January payday is still far away for many people as Christmas costs start to roll in, and others use this time to reassess their finances and start saving for the coming year.
“Looking for ways to make extra cash provides scammers with opportunities to strike.
“Be wary of any job that seems too good to be true and will pay off just by ‘liking’ social media content.
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“Starting the New Year alert – even if you’ve previously made a few pounds from a few clicks – any request for an upfront fee should be considered a scam.”
Dr. Rasha Kassem, Senior Academic, Head of Fraud Research Group (FRG) Aston University” says: “A true side hustle has clear compensation, appropriate terms, and no upfront fees. Fake side hustles copy this idea and look harmless.
“In the past, similar ploys took the form of fake mystery shopping jobs or work-at-home opportunities for a fee. Now they use social media, messaging apps and encrypted platforms to look more convincing.”