£15.4 million lost in Christmas shopping scams in 2020
Shoppers are being warned to be more vigilant this year
As Black Friday approaches, shoppers are being warned not to fall for Christmas scams that ended up costing £15.4 million in 2020.
Over 28,000 reports were received by Action Fraud, the national cybercrime reporting centre, from disgruntled customers who were fooled out of money during the Christmas season.
Figures for the number of scams reported skyrocketed in 2020, with an increase of 61% compared to the year before.
Those conned would spend money on smartphones, gaming consoles, vehicles and clothing on shopping websites such as Gumtree and Ebay, only for the items they purchased never to arrive.
On the weekend of Black Friday alone, almost £2.6 million was taken by criminals, averaging roughly £550 per victim.
To prevent a repeat of the scams this year, Action Fraud is warning customers to be vigilant while shopping online.
Director of Action Fraud, Pauline Smith, said: "If you think you have found a bargain that is too good to be true, it probably is. Stop and think before making a purchase, as it could protect you and your money.
"Always shop with official retailers and follow our simple advice to enjoy shopping online safely and ensure you are not left empty-handed this Christmas."