A record-breaking number of transactions are being processed in the run-up to Christmas as shoppers rush to finish last-minute shopping. Since Black Friday, Royal Bank of Scotland customers have spent £11,816m.

This is coupled with a record number of fraud attempts, with Royal Bank of Scotland flagging and preventing 39,181 fraudulent transactions, preventing debit and credit customers from losing over £11.64m.

Over the Christmas shopping period from 29 November to 19 December, just under 310 million credit and debit card transactions have been processed. This is an increase on last year which saw 251 million transactions over the same period.

Jason Costain, head of fraud, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “We’ve just seen one of busiest shopping weekends of the year and we have been working around the clock to keep our customers safe and secure. At this time of year customers should also be extra vigilant of scams and if a deal looks too good to be true it probably is.”