Thames Valley Police warn of online shopping scams ahead of Christmas
Police share advice to help shoppers avoid losing money to scams during the festive season
Thames Valley Police are urging people to stay vigilant against potential scams during the festive season, as online shopping fraud continues to impact victims each year.
Detective Inspector Duncan Wynn, Head of Thames Valley Police’s Central Fraud Unit, revealed that last Christmas, online shopping scams resulted in losses of over £11 million.
He advised caution when encountering deals that might seem too good, stating that criminals often take advantage of the heightened consumer activity at this time of year.
"In the same way that we're getting ready for Christmas, doing our shopping, criminals are seeing this as an excellent time to exploit people," DI Wynn said.
He also recognised the impact that being scammed can have on people, especially when they are already feeling a financial pinch.
"Money is tight across the country. People work really hard for their money and losing a significant amount, which you think is going towards a present for a loved one, is difficult to replace," he said.
DI Wynn shared advice to help people protect themselves from fraudulent activity.
"Our top festive tips are around taking a second to consider any potential deals and taking your time and not rushing to panic buying and responding to adverts which may be too good to be true," he said.
He also urges people to consider how they are paying for gifts online: "The least secure way of making a payment would be by a direct bank transfer, because that means it's very difficult to recall the payment.
"The most secure way of paying for online shopping is via credit card because you're protected by Consumer Credit Act."
DI Wynn emphasised the importance of being cautious when shopping online following your instincts, "If a bargain seems too good to be true, it probably is," he said.