Rise in Web Fraud at Christmas Time

21/09/2007

Shoppers be warned. The fraudsters are on patrol in the few months before the Christmas party season. Crime is on the rise in this shopping season with thieves taking credit card
details online and then charging up a storm.

Bernhard Warner, Times Online, writes “These types of crime committed online in 2006 topped £212m up 32 per cent on the previous year. The statistics show credit card thieves have all but abandoned offline opportunities for this type of fraud. Nearly three quarters of fraudulent transactions made with stolen credit card details are committed online.”

Consumer watch groups in the UK are trying to put a cap on the illegal purchase of viruses, spam email lists, stolen credit card details, and bank passwords. Warner reports that the real draw during the Christmas party season is cyber crime starter kits: “For a few extra quid, you can add customer support, particularly helpful when wanting to try out a new banking Trojan that can outwit most anti-virus filters.”

There are ways to protect oneself in the lead up to the Christmas party and holiday season. Phishing online is an online crime in which criminals get information through emails. Consumers should be wary of opening an email and replying with any bank details. Also, people should only secure booking forms when making Christmas party and holiday purchases online.