Christmas shoppers urged to stay safe online

It’s Black Friday this week - the curtain raiser to a month of pretty intense shopping.

But with so many of us keen to open our wallets and snap up bargains online, scammers are waiting to pounce.

So the British Retail Consortium (BRC) is now urging shoppers to take steps to protect themselves over the festive season.

How are scammers targeting shoppers?

Scammers will use all sorts of tactics to trick people into paying money or sharing their details, such as: 

• offering tempting deals
• imitating trusted brands
• creating a sense of urgency so you pay quickly

But there can sometimes be a few clues that give away the fact they aren’t genuine, such as:

• spelling and grammar mistakes
• no customer reviews or ratings
• no secure payment options

“Cyber criminals will be looking to exploit consumers through sophisticated scams and consumers must be extra vigilant,” said Graham Wynn of the BRC.

“Don’t let a Christmas deal turn into a Christmas disaster.”

How can you stay safe when shopping online?

The last thing you want before Christmas is to fall victim to a scam.

So the BRC has recommended that shoppers:

Stick to trusted websites

You can cut the risk of landing on a fake site by typing the store’s web address directly into your browser, instead of clicking on links in emails or social posts.

And make sure you double-check the web address carefully before entering any personal or payment details.

Enable strong authentication

Use strong, unique passwords for every shopping account and turn on multi-factor authentication wherever you can. 

If you reuse passwords, it’s easier for scammers to break into multiple accounts if one gets compromised.

Choose secure payment options

Credit cards and some payment apps offer extra protection if something goes wrong with your purchase, so be wary if you’re asked to pay via bank transfer.

Don’t use public Wi-Fi

Avoid online shopping if you’re on an unsecured network.

If you’re entering your card details, make sure you’re on a secure home connection or using mobile data.

Look at your bank statements

Check your bank or card statements regularly. 

If you notice any charges you don’t recognise, report them straight away.

How to report a scam

If you’ve been scammed, you can report it to Citizens Advice and they’ll pass information onto Trading Standards, who’ll decide whether or not to investigate.

It’s also worth reporting it to Action Fraud on their website or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Check out our guide on how to outsmart online scammers for more tips to help you stay safe.