Tis the season to wise up to online fraudsters
With the UK's busiest online shopping day ‘Mega Monday’ (December 6) fast approaching, the National Fraud Authority (NFA) and the UK’s lead force for fraud, City of London Police, are ringing-out the bells about the growing threat of online fraudsters.
With over half the UK adult population now shopping online, forecasters predict pre-Christmas web sales will peak at £23.2m between 12-1pm on Mega Monday. But police analysts advise this frenetic activity also raises the risk of buyers losing money to criminals.
Shoppers should be aware that behind some flashy websites, canny criminals are looking to cash-in on the December online spree. Anonymous fraudsters can set up legitimate-looking websites to sell either counterfeit goods or no goods at all.
According to figures compiled by the NFA’s Action Fraud and the City of London Police’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), there has been a 15 per cent increase in reports of online shopping and auction fraud since July 2010. The organisations are also warning people to take extra care when purchasing popular Christmas gifts online.
Previous reports to Action Fraud and other agencies, suggest the following products are the top five to feature in online shopping and auction fraud:
- Smart Phones
- Digital Cameras
- Designer goods including jewellery and branded boots
- Laptops and notebooks
- Video game systems.
Financial Fraud Action UK and CIFAS – The UK’s Fraud Prevention Service are supporting the call for consumers to take basic steps online to protect themselves this Christmas. To make sure your online shopping is safe and secure remember these top tips:
- Use secure websites that you trust. Do your research before making a purchase. Check online forums for feedback
- Do they have a real-world presence? Can you see their address and phone number? Is it a valid UK registered phone number?
- Check the browser address changes from 'http' to 'https' to indicate you have a secure connection and look for a padlock or an unbroken key symbol on your web browser
- If website prices for designer items, games and smart phones seem too good to be true, they probably are. Legitimate popular technology and designer items are rarely discounted
For further advice and to report fraud, log onto www.actionfraud.org.uk or call 0300 123 2040, Textphone 0300 123 2050 Visit www.getsafeonline.org.uk for other tips on staying safe online.
To find out more about how to protect yourself against different types of fraud, follow the links below.
If you do become a victim of fraud, contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101, or you can contact Action Fraud, the national reporting centre (details below). In an emergency always dial 999.
If you have any information about a crime and believe you could help an investigation please contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101. If you are calling from outside of Hampshire or the Isle of Wight please call 0845 045 45 45.
Alternatively call Hampshire Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Action Fraud
Action Fraud is the UK's national fraud reporting centre. They will take reports of fraud offences, as well as providing reassurance, advice and support to callers. Action Fraud take reports of crimes and passes the details to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, which works with police forces and a number of other key agencies in gathering and sharing intelligence and linking information on crime patterns. Any fraud that requires police investigation is passed to your local force to deal with.
