Festive Fraudsters

5th December 2010

SECURITY experts are warning Christmas consumers to be more cautious than ever of online fraud as shopping on the web hits an all time high.

With days left before Christmas only 44% of shoppers say they regularly check bills and financial statements against receipts.

Average online sales in 2009 were worth £50 billion. The average e-retail basket value is worth £144 and online sales have grown by 13% this year.

Identity fraud is one of the UK's fastest growing crimes. Recently a North East businessman was one of three identity fraudsters jailed for launching a decade-long scam which netted them more than £1m by churning out applications for benefits, credit and store cards hidden in a derelict house in Sheffield.

Jim Watson, managing director of Shred Easy a confidential data destruction expert, wants to highlight the dangers of exposing confidential data online and hopes to raise awareness of how to safely shop:

"As online purchasing becomes more fashionable, and the recession takes hold, web users must be more vigilant than ever of fraudsters. Thieves who steal personal details like bank numbers can transfer money out of your account in seconds and manufacture fake documentation.

"When uploading personal information always:
· Check there's a pad lock symbol at the top of the website
· Make sure the web links starts with 'https'
· Install anti virus protection on your computer
· Regularly change your passwords
· Never reply to emails from banks asking for personal details
· Destroy any written evidence of passwords."

Each year, identity fraud in the UK costs more than £2.7 billion and affects over 1.8 million people, according to new figures from the National Fraud Authority (NFA).

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