Crimestoppers
Fearless
Insights
Online shoppers urged to stop 'funding scammers'
Get Safe Online provides top tips for protecting yourself from online purchase scams, as 43% seek out special offers and deals more regularly, heightening fraud risk.
Get Safe Online has launched a new campaign urging online shoppers to ‘always pay by card’, as new research reveals a rise in scammers taking advantage of the cost-of-living crisis.
New research by the UK’s leading internet safety body has identified a significant rise in online purchase scams, with more than 8 million Brits falling victim to this type of fraud at least once during the last year, and three in ten noticing more fake websites and sellers when shopping online.
Purchase scams involve being asked to pay in advance for goods or services that are never received, with digitally-savvy criminals creating professional-looking websites, social media profiles and documents that appear genuine, but are in fact fake. With three in five people saying that the cost-of-living crisis has changed their regular shopping habits, fraudsters are exploiting this shift in behaviour and creating new ways to target their victims.
The cost-of-living trap
As household finances continue to be squeezed, 43% of online shoppers say that they’re seeking out special offers and deals more regularly which, according to Get Safe Online, is leading to an increased risk that that consumers are lured in by offers that they would usually consider too good to be true.
What’s more, with 21% saying that they’re turning to social media platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Instagram, or via second-hand websites more regularly, Get Safe Online warns that the cost-of-living crisis is resulting in more direct bank transfers for online purchases, which in turn increases the risk of them being caught out by purchase scam fraudsters.
Tony Neate, CEO of Get Safe Online, comments: “Falling for a purchase scam is easier than you think. Unfortunately, fraud is committed by highly skilled, professionally-organised people who employ web designers and rent call centers to give off the appearance of a legitimate company.”
“Many people still believe that fraud is easy to spot, and isn’t something that can happen to them - however, amateur adverts and websites are becoming a thing of the past. Today, people can make a living out of tricking people out of their money, going to great lengths to lure you in. It’s upsetting at the best of times, but the impact is felt more profusely when money is tight. In our latest campaign, we highlight the growing professionalism of online fraudsters to challenge the existing perception and encourage everyone to be extra vigilant when shopping online.”
Amongst the items most advertised by online purchase fraudsters are secondhand goods found online, electrical goods and clothing, perhaps due to the fact people are often looking for bargain for these types of items, the ease in which a fake website or social account can be made to ‘sell’ them, and the likelihood that people will request to see the items before making a purchase.
Taking steps to protect online purchases
In a positive sign of vigilance, a vast majority (92%) of those surveyed say that they are taking proactive steps to keep their money safe from online purchase scams at this time, especially amongst those who’ve been scammed previously. These include taking greater care before clicking on links in emails and texts (53%), purchasing items through online payment systems with increased protection (44%), and avoiding using websites that ask for too much personal information (41%).
However, as scammers’ techniques continue to become more sophisticated, Get Safe Online has launched a new campaign highlighting three simple actions to take when purchasing goods and services online and how, together, we can stop funding fraudsters.
Get Safe Online’s top tips on how you can protect yourselves from falling victim to purchase fraud:
- Pay by card if buying things online – if you’re buying things online, always pay by card. Fraudsters like bank transfers and will always encourage you to pay via this method because it's almost impossible to get back. Genuine sellers let you pay by card.
- If possible, see goods in person – especially if you’re buying from social media or an online marketplace. Fraudsters take the time and effort to create profiles or sites that make you believe they’re a genuine seller, always ask to see the item in person before paying for it to avoid disappointment.
- Look beyond the deal – fraudsters like a confident buyer. They only want you to focus on the item and price. That way you’re less likely to stop and think to check it’s safe and spot the warning signs.
