Gen Z purchase scam claim value rises 56.3% in H1 2026, Barclays says
BCS•Barclays research found Gen Z purchase scam claim values rose 56.3% year over year in the first half of 2026, while claim volumes increased 16.8%. Across all customers, claim values rose 14.2% and volumes rose 7.8%.
1. Scam claims rise
Barclays research showed Gen Z purchase scam claim values surged 56.3% year over year in the first half of 2026, with claim volumes up 16.8%, more than double the 7.8% increase across all customers. Overall purchase scam claim values increased 14.2%. The research also found 76% of UK adults surveyed said AI advances make scams more convincing, while 36% check website authenticity before buying; 46% of Gen Z shoppers feel pressure to buy sale items quickly, compared with 27% of all adults.
