West Mercia Police warning people to take care when shopping online during festive period
The warning comes following Black Friday sales and today's Cyber Monday ones
West Mercia Police is reminding people to take extra care and be on the look out for scams throughout this Cyber Monday and festive period.
It follows Black Friday and at a time which is known to be busy for online shopping.
Holiday deals have been highlighted by the UK Civil Aviation Authority as one area to watch out for, data from the City of London Police revealing £11 million was lost to holiday fraud in 2024, with £546,000 coming from the West Midlands.
Rebecca Smith, who's a cyber and fraud protect officer within West Mercia Police's cyber crime unit, said: "It's a busy time for everyone when it comes to online shopping and deliveries, fraudsters know it and they will use this time to manipulate people in to passing with their money or sensitive information.
"The types of scams we see this time of year would be social media and sales promotion, emails, text message to say you've missed a parcel and need to rearrange for it be delivered.
"What you've identified as a scam as well, the next person might not, and they might part with their financial or sensitive information."
On some pieces of advice, she added: "Use online retailers that you know and trust, they're lots of bogus websites that appear this time of year with many advertising on social media.
"Look at the reviews, don't click onto their website through their social media post and use trusted browsers to search for the company.
"Stop and think, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is, don't be rushed into making a decision and check the sender details."
Further advice
Further advice and information on how to stay safe when shopping online can be found over on the Action Fraud website here.