Christmas scam warning issued in the UK. Last year Boxing Day shoppers spent a staggering £2.7 billion online according to Barclaycard.
This year the public have been warned to protect themselves as online scammers try to hit unwary Brits during the festive period. Online shoppers have been advised to follow the following steps by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
- Keeping 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.
- 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 [email protected]
- 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.
- 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.
- Only provide enough details to complete a purchase – only fill in…