Campaign launches to tackle online shopping scams in North Wales

A campaign to combat online shopping fraud has been launched in North Wales ahead of the busy Christmas period.

Spearheaded by Get Safe Online in collaboration with North Wales Police and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin, the initiative aims to protect residents from falling victim to scams while shopping online.

Tony Neate, CEO of Get Safe Online, highlighted the scale of the issue, stating:

“Hundreds of thousands of cases of people being defrauded whilst buying online are reported annually, with the figure increasing every year. The actual number is considerably higher, as most purchase frauds go unreported. That’s why we are promoting ways to purchase safely online to help ensure you and your family can shop securely this Christmas.”

Online purchase fraud often involves criminals using fake websites, fraudulent advertisements, or phishing tactics to deceive shoppers.

Detective Constable Roheryn Evans of North Wales Police’s Cyber Crime Team explained:

“Criminals have ever-changing tactics that make use of social engineering skills to make you believe their lies. Social engineering persuades us to act quickly without thinking. We see victims of all ages from across all communities in North Wales fall victim to shopping scams. Most perpetrators are based overseas, which makes it difficult to bring them to justice.”

The campaign emphasises vigilance when shopping online, urging consumers to verify the legitimacy of sellers and exercise caution when making purchases.

Andy Dunbobbin stressed the importance of awareness, especially during the holiday season:

“Purchase fraud is a growing problem. We’re all looking for bargains, but it’s important to consider if the offer is legitimate. ‘If something looks too good to be true, it often is’ still applies today, especially at a time when so much of our Christmas shopping takes place online.”

Get Safe Online has shared key tips to help shoppers protect themselves, including paying with credit cards rather than direct transfers, verifying website authenticity, and avoiding suspicious links.

Consumers are also advised to keep records of purchases and to report fraud immediately to their bank and the police.

For more advice on secure online shopping, visit www.getsafeonline.org.