Shop Safely Online This Christmas

2009 was a big hit for online retailers in the UK. The BBC reported that consumers in the UK spent more than anywhere else in Europe via the internet, at £38bn. Researchers proposed this trend would continue to accelerate into 2010, and with Christmas approaching, the next 2 months are likely to see the peak of online sales this year.

But shopping online does not mean you are safe from bank and credit card fraud. The rise of internet shopping and online payments has also opened up new methods for fraudsters to steal your bank details and well earned money.

Whilst systems such as Verified by Visa and Mastercard SecureCode have helped reduce online fraud, it is still essential that consumers stay aware of potential online fraud. There are a number of things you can do to help stay protected online:

• Install Identity Protection Software
• Make sure your children can browse online safely
• Secure Wireless Internet
• Check for Viruses and Malware
• Create Strong Passwords

Additional tips for staying safe online can be found here on BBC’s WebWise page.

Hopefully this shouldn’t put you off making full use of the internet to do your shopping. If you need any help with the above, give our Gerrards Cross office a call on 01753884700 and we can help reduce the risk to you of online fraud.