How to get one over on festive fraudsters

THE Christmas shopping frenzy is well under way – but what do you do if you see a great bargain online?

Do you leave it for a few minutes to have a think, or click “buy” before anyone else can snap it up?

If it’s the latter, you may be playing straight into fraudsters’ hands.

Criminals use the busy festive shopping period to entice people into handing over their debit and credit card details on fake retail websites.

Nearly a third (31%) of online shoppers admit they’re more likely to take a financial risk if a retailer offers them what looks like a bargain, according to a survey from Financial Fraud Action UK (FFA UK).

Younger people aged between 16 and 34 are particularly likely to be at risk, with nearly half (46%) saying they would take a chance.

The research estimated that there are potentially 15 million UK shoppers putting themselves at risk of financial fraud.

The research was carried out by FFA UK as part of a campaign called “Take Five”, which is backed by major banks and financial services providers.

The campaign has issued guidelines to make sure your shopping spree is stress-free:

Keep your phone, tablet and PC protected by ensuring you have the latest operating system, firewall, browser, and up-to-date anti-virus software.
Always log out properly from the website after shopping and save the confirmation email receipt as a record of your order in case there’s a problem.
Check delivery timescales and keep records – print out your order and keep copies of the retailer’s terms and conditions, returns policy, delivery conditions, postal address and phone number. Having this information to hand could help if you later have difficulties with your order.

Keep receipts and check these against your statement – if you spot a transaction you did not authorise, speak to your provider immediately.

Further advice about financial fraud is available by visiting takefive-stopfraud.org.uk

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