Reports to Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime,
revealed that almost 100,000 people in the UK have fallen victim to online shopping
fraud in the past 13 months – with over £60 million being reported lost and so the Government is asking citizens to take five simple steps to
protect themselves and their families from fraudsters:
1. Keep accounts secure - strong and separate passwords should be used for
the most important online accounts, including email, banking or payment
accounts (such as PayPal). The NCSC recommends using three random
words to create a password. Turning on two-step verification can add an extra
layer of protection.
2. Be aware of emails, text messages or websites that look too good to be
true or suspicious - many scammers set up fake messages designed to
steal financial and personal information. Members of the public can report
suspicious messages to the NCSC via text to 7726 and email to
report@phishing.gov.uk.
3. Choose online retailers carefully - research stores before buying to confirm
they are legitimate through trustworthy consumer websites. Some emails or
texts about amazing offers may contain links to fake websites. If unsure, don't
use the link.
4. Use a credit card for online payments if possible - most major credit card
providers protect online purchases, and are obliged to refund individuals in
certain circumstances.
5. Only provide enough details to complete a purchase - only fill in the
mandatory details on a website when shopping online (often marked with an
asterisk).
For further guidance on how to stay secure online, visit www.cyberaware.gov.uk