A FIFTH of online Christmas shoppers are ripped off by scammers – here’s how to avoid them

ONE in five shoppers are being scammed online in the run-up to Christmas – losing an average £190 to fraudsters.

Some have lost thousands of pounds in one go, according to research conducted by Shieldpay – a secure payments tool for people transacting with each other online.

For many, it has already put a dampener on Christmas with online shoppers either receiving fake items – or none at all – or not being able to afford a replacement gift in time.

Being scammed is also having an adverse impact on some relationships.

Tom Clementson, consumer director at Shieldpay, says: ‘No one wants their Christmas ruined by festive fraudsters. Shoppers must take every precaution to ensure they are transacting safely.’

In the rush to buy lastminute gifts for friends and family, most people turn to the internet for inspiration and convenience.

But experts say it is this rush to complete Christmas gift-buying that eclipses an otherwise cautious approach to weeding out online scams.

The advice is to step back long enough before shopping on an unknown website to ask a relative or friend for advice.

Tony Neate, of free advice organisation GetSafeOnline, says: ‘A friend might spot a flaw with a website. A lot of people who are conned just don’t see it when they shop.

‘It’s time to take off the rose-tinted glasses. If you see a fantastic deal, question it.’

Neate also suggests looking for contact details before making a purchase – bearing in mind that if a company is difficult to reach when a purchase is made, it is also unlikely to be helpful if something goes wrong.

Check for a landline number or an address. Alternatively, consider buying from a wellestablished brand that will fulfil its obligations. Neate adds: ‘The internet is a great tool to do some shopping research. Check whether a company has a good reputation by reading what other customers say.’

Websites such as Trustpilot give shoppers’ feedback about retailers.

When it comes to making a purchase, pay by credit card as it provides extra protection for items worth more than £100. If something goes wrong, such as goods failing to be delivered, customers can get a refund from their credit card provider for the money lost.

Action Fraud – the UK’s national fraud reporting centre – warns shoppers that there is no protection for fraud victims who pay via bank transfer.

Online security experts also warn that the ‘green padlock’ symbol cannot be relied on to indicate a website is legitimate – only that it is secure. Fraudsters can operate a secure website but still run a dodgy business.

The green padlock often shows up in the space where internet users type a web address.

People receiving electronic gifts at Christmas also need to ensure they are not complacent about security.

Neate says: ‘Download security software and set strong passwords.’

It is important to wipe sensitive information from old devices before throwing them away or passing them on.

For more advice about internet safety, visit getsafeonline.org.