Shop safe
Bargains, not scams
Five habits from the UK's cyber security and fraud experts that make online shopping much safer.
The festive shopping season is prime time for fraudsters. Fake shops, copycat adverts and 'too good to be true' offers all spike around Black Friday.
£11.5m
reported lost to online shopping fraud between November 2023 and January 2024 (NCSC and Action Fraud)
£695
average loss per victim over that festive period
Those figures, released by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Action Fraud, also showed that 43% of the reports mentioned a social media platform. Clothing and tech were among the most common items in the scams.
Five habits that protect you
1. Turn on 2-step verification
The NCSC's top tip is to set up 2-step verification (2SV) on your most important accounts, especially email, banking and shopping. Even if a criminal learns your password, they cannot get in without the second step.
2. Use three random words
For passwords, the NCSC recommends joining three random words. They are easier to remember and harder to crack than a short, complicated password.
3. Research the seller
Before buying from a shop you do not know, look for an address, contact details and reviews on independent sites. Be wary of adverts on social media that lead to unfamiliar websites.
4. Pay securely
Use a credit card where you can, as it can give extra protection if something goes wrong. Avoid paying by bank transfer to sellers you do not know.
5. Do not be rushed
Action Fraud warns that creating a false sense of urgency is a classic sign of a fraudster. Take your time.
If it feels wrong, stop. A real deal will still be there tomorrow.
If something goes wrong
- Contact your bank straight away.
- Report it to Action Fraud online or on 0300 123 2040 (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), or to Police Scotland on 101.
- Forward suspicious texts to 7726.
Shopping with us
Sheet Story only sells through sheetstory.com and our official marketplace stores. If you see an advert or website using our name that does not feel right, please contact us at hello@sheetstory.com before you buy.
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