Advice from Wiltshire Police to stay safe online this Black Friday

Experts are urging us to be careful this Black Friday and plan ahead.

Wiltshire-based building society Nationwide, says the average Brit will spend more than £250 today (Friday 24th November).

Police in the county tell us online shoppers lost over £10 million pounds over the period between November 2022 and January 2023 to cyber criminals.

Wiltshire's Cyber Crime Team is putting out advice calling on online shoppers in particular to keep themselves safe.

They've said the best way to keep personal information and accounts safe is to focus on email accounts, as that's the gateway to access other vital details - their tips include:

• Ensure you have a strong email password using 3 random words and is different to other account passwords. By combining 3 random words that can each mean something to you so easily remembered but is much harder to guess.

• Turn on 2-step verification (2SV) for your email which gives you twice the protection. This means you provide more information to prove your identity, like being sent an access code to your phone, which means even if your password is compromised criminals can’t get access to your email.

Wiltshire Police Fraud Protect Officer Rachel Davies, said:

“Criminals are always looking for new ways of scamming people out of money, so we need to stay one step ahead. By having the basic prevention in place and securing your email will keep you much better protected. Also making sure websites you’re on are legitimate, be aware of potential phishing emails and text messages with direct links and be extra wary of sites you haven’t used before.

“With the cost-of-living crisis effecting so many, there are more people than ever looking for more affordable ways to make the festive period special. Just don’t be rushed or pressured into make a costly mistake when shopping online.”

We're also encouraged to have regular conversations with less internet aware, such as older people who could be more vulnerable to cyber crime.

If you’ve been a victim of fraud, you can report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or via their website at www.actionfraud.police.uk.

You can also contact Wiltshire Police on 101.

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