Lloyds Bank has issued an urgent warning to customers as new data reveals the average victim of an online shopping scam loses £642. The warning follows a 20 percent increase in such scams in December 2021, according to the UK Finance Fraud Report.
Those aged between 55 and 64 are particularly vulnerable, losing an average of £1,000. The bank advises shoppers to be wary of deals that appear too good to be true, especially on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook Marketplace, where most scams originate.
Fraudsters often send texts or emails with links to fake websites or malware. Lloyds urges customers not to click on such links and to verify deals through trusted search engines. High-risk items include trainers, clothes, gaming consoles, and phones.
Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds, said: 'The safest way to pay for things online is always by debit or credit card, and buy from a trusted retailer. Remember that if a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is.'
Victims or those spotting suspicious websites can report them to Action Fraud, report@phishing.gov.uk, or the National Cyber Security Centre.
