The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Action Fraud have launched their annual appeal to raise awareness about online fraud, particularly as the festive shopping season begins. With Black Friday and the holiday shopping rush approaching, they highlighted the alarming rise in online scams.
In the final months of 2023, consumers lost over £11.5 million to cyber criminals, a £1 million increase compared to the previous year. The most targeted items included clothing, technology products, and cars, with the average loss per victim amounting to £695. Those aged 30 to 39 were the most frequent victims, followed closely by those aged 40 to 49.
A significant portion of these fraud incidents—43%—involved social media platforms, while 19% were linked to online marketplaces. The NCSC’s campaign emphasizes the importance of taking basic cybersecurity steps, such as enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) for online accounts and creating strong, memorable passwords. As cyber criminals use increasingly sophisticated tactics, including AI-powered scams, the NCSC urges consumers to follow best practices for online safety.
UK Launches Cybersecurity Campaign to Combat Online Fraud as Holiday Shopping Season Approaches
Richard Horne, CEO of the NCSC, warned that while people seek the best online deals during the holidays, this period is also prime time for scammers. He strongly recommended shoppers set up two-step verification for their accounts and use secure passwords to protect themselves from fraud.
Additionally, Lord Hanson, the newly appointed Home Office minister for fraud, echoed the call for caution and advised consumers to trust their instincts. He urged shoppers to avoid clicking on suspicious links and emphasized the government’s commitment to tackling online fraud.
In addition to basic technical measures, the NCSC has provided guidance on recognizing common scam tactics. Fraudsters often create a sense of urgency by promoting limited-time offers or exclusive items. The NCSC advises consumers to adopt a skeptical approach when shopping online, remembering that if something appears too good to be true, it likely is. If a deal feels off, it’s best to stop, break contact, and verify the legitimacy of the seller through trusted review platforms.
Rocio Concha, from the consumer protection group Which?, supported the NCSC’s awareness campaign but called for a more coordinated, national approach to tackle fraud.
She argued that the responsibility for protecting consumers should not fall solely on individuals and suggested that telecom providers, online advertising companies, and domain registrars should be held to the same standards as banks and online platforms. Concha believes that these sectors should be required to verify the legitimacy of users to better protect the public from fraud.
