WITH Cyber Monday on the horizon and many people planning to go online to buy Christmas presents, police are warning Redditch residents to take extra care online.
Every year there is a spike in cyber crime around the festive period and between November 2015 and the end of February 2016, 183 reports of online shopping and auction fraud, resulting in a total loss of £127,444, were made to Action Fraud from people living in the West Mercia Police force area.
DCI Tim Bower, from West Mercia specialist operations unit, said: “We do not want people to avoid using the internet to buy their gifts – but we do want them to be aware that fraudsters use the internet too.
“A good piece of overall advice is to remember that if something seems too good to be true; it probably is.
“Also always make sure payment pages are secure before entering card details by checking the web address starts with ‘https’ and that there’s a locked padlock or unbroken key symbol in the browser window.”
Top tips to think SMART:
S– Safeguard your payment. Never transfer money directly into the seller’s account. Pay by card on a secure payment page, by cheque or cash in person.
M– Make sure payment pages are secure and you can see ‘https’ and a locked padlock or unbroken key symbol.
A– A credit card, rather than a debit card, gives you more chance of getting your money back if there are problems
R– Remember Wi-Fi in public places is not always secure – even if you have to enter a code
T– Think. After you have finished your online shopping or banking session remember to log out.
Visit http://www.westmerica.police.uk/becybersmart and http://www.getsafeonline.org for more information or report fraud on 0300 123 20 40.
