BLACK Friday and Christmas are approaching and with lockdown, people are doing their Christmas shopping online.

Action Fraud has produced a guide to how people can be careful while shopping via their phone or other electronic device.

West Yorkshire Police’s Contact Management Centre has also tweeted today warning online shoppers after receiving a number of calls from concerned people.

Here is Action Fraud’s guide to being careful with online shopping:

1: Choosing where you shop

If you’re making a purchase from a company or person you don’t know and trust, carry out some research first, and ask a friend or family member for advice before completing the purchase.

If you decide to go ahead with the purchase, use a credit card if you have one, as most major credit card providers insure online purchases.

2: Keep your devices up to date

Make sure you install the latest software and app updates. These usually contain important security updates that can protect you against fraud and identity theft.

Information can easily be found about how to install these updates from Apple, Microsoft and Google.

 

3: Secure your email account

Secure your important accounts with a good password - especially your email. Cyber criminals want to hack into your email account. They are looking for valuable information like bank details and the logins for your other online accounts but they'll also make use of things like your address or date of birth when trying to crack your passwords.

So, you should have a strong password for your email. One that you don't re-use anywhere else.

4: Take care with links in emails and texts

Some of the emails or texts you receive about amazing offers may contain links to fake websites, designed to steal your money and personal details.

Not all links are bad, but if you are unsure don't use the link, go separately to the website.

5: Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)

To give any online account additional protection, where possible, you should turn on two-factor authentication (2FA).

This service double checks that you really are the person you claim to be, when logging in.

 

6: Use a password manager

If you have lots of accounts, the temptation to re-use passwords and usernames is pretty strong. A good way to get around this is to use a password manager.

These systems remember all your login details for you, so you can choose good passwords for each of your online accounts, without worrying about losing or forgetting them.

7: Don't give away too much information

You shouldn't need to give out your mother’s maiden name, or the name of your primary school, in order to buy something.

There’s some obvious details that an online store will need, such as your address and your bank details, but be cautious if they ask for details that are not required for your purchase.

Only fill in the mandatory details of forms when making a purchase. These are usually marked with an asterisk*.

8: When things go wrong

If you think you may have been taken in by a bogus website, you should first, take a note of the website's address, then close down your internet browser. Then report the details to Action Fraud and contact your bank to seek advice.

Whether you've been a victim of fraud will depend on how much information you’ve provided to the website. So keep an eye on bank transactions, if you can. Contact your bank immediately about anything that you don’t recognise, even small amounts.

Action Fraud is the reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime committed in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It has been set up for the reporting of incidents in which people have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber crime.

Anyone with any experiences of any of the scams can report them to @actionfrauduk or call 0300 123 2040.