CYBER shoppers must be on their guard ahead of Black Friday as figures show scammers stole £11.4 billion from Brits last year, a new report reveals.
Consumers are told to expect a spike in fraud attempts this week after one in seven shoppers said they had lost cash to criminals last year.
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Platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and Gmail are being frequently exploited to unsuspecting shoppers, the Global Anti-Scam Alliance report says.
The study comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves has called on big tech and telecom firms to take more responsibility for tackling the issue.
The total loss last year was up by a staggering £4 billion with the average loss per person hitting £1,400 – with less than one in five recovering all their money.
But nearly three-quarters, some 71 per cent, said they could confidently recognise an offer if it was too good to be true, the study shows.
A staggering 61 per cent of people say they encounter a scam once a month. But three in five say their trust online had dipped because of scams.
Jorij Abraham, Managing Director of GASA, said: “Losing £11.4 billion to scams in 12 months is absolutely staggering. It demands stronger action and an unwavering commitment to bringing criminals to justice.
“The UK’s counter-fraud community needs more support if they are to intensify the fight against scammers, restore confidence, and protect people from this growing threat.”
Mike Haley, boss of anti-fraud outfit Cifas, said: “These figures are a stark reminder as to the scale and breadth of scams impacting UK consumers.
“Not only do victims suffer financially, but they often – wrongly – feel shame and blame themselves.
“There has never been a greater need to protect people and shift the dial on the UK’s scams emergency. However, industry cannot do this alone.
“We need greater cross-sector collaboration and an ability to share data and intelligence from all industry sectors as well as government departments, law enforcement, and the public sector.”
KEEP YOUR MONEY SAFE
By Ryan Sabey
Fraud crime is on the rise and shoppers need to be aware – especially those looking for gifts on Black Friday in a few days time.
There are simple rules and advice to be aware of when you are browsing online.
The public should be on red alert not to hand over their bank details to scammers – which can be used by fraudsters or sold on to other criminals.
This personal information can be used to obtain access to hard-earned savings or even pensions.
The public must be wary of out-of-the-blue phone calls, e-mails or text messages from people pretending to be from your bank or building society.
Never hand over your passwords or your date of birth.
Scammers will try and lure their potential victims into a false sense of security.
Action Fraud is the country’s number one centre for reporting fraud and cyber crime if you have been scammed or defrauded.
The Chancellor said in her keynote Mansion House speech last week that all firms in the Joint Fraud Taskforce give an update demanding they go “further and faster” to end the scourge.
Firms such as TikTok, Meta and NatWest are all being asked to step up in the fightback.