Web fraud hits one in 10 UK surfers

UK internet activity has risen dramatically, and so has online fraud

More than a tenth of the UK's 29 million adult internet users has experienced online fraud in the past year, according to research released today by Get Safe Online. 

The survey of 2,500 users found that internet users who have experienced online fraud lost an average £875 each.

Some six per cent of all internet users suffered fraud while shopping online, five per cent experienced another form of general online fraud and four per cent were subject to bank account or credit card fraud as a result of online activity.

"The internet is a fantastic resource and its use is growing daily. Unfortunately, it is also being used by criminals who are out to defraud us," said Tony Neate, managing director of Get Safe Online.

"Each one of us has to take greater personal responsibility for our own online security. To help achieve this Get Safe Online provides all the information that people need to safeguard themselves from online criminal activity."

The rise in online fraud comes as UK internet activity has risen dramatically. The report found that 93 per cent of internet users now use the web daily, and each user spends an average £1,044 a year on goods and services on the web, equivalent to £30bn for the UK online population as a whole.

Get Safe Online said that a substantial proportion of online fraud losses could be prevented if internet users took the same precautions online that they do on the high street.

The survey also found that fewer than half of internet users believe themselves to be responsible for their own online safety.

One in six said that their bank is 'wholly responsible' for their online protection, while 13 per cent feel that it is up to their internet service provider.

Just over half indicated that there should be an internet safety test, much like the driving test, to help users understand the risks and their personal responsibility to stay safe.

Over three-quarters of those surveyed felt that there should be lessons in schools to help young people to stay safe on the internet.

"You would not give a stranger the key to your front door, but this is the situation many people unknowingly find themselves in with the more sophisticated forms of online fraud," said Garreth Griffith, head of trust and safety at eBay UK and director of Get Safe Online. 

"Although many organisations will provide a means to recover lost money, ultimately there are simple steps people can take to reduce the risks in the first place.

"On eBay, we would encourage users to visit the Safety Centre which includes advice and tools to help trade safely on the site."

Get Safe Online 2006 Report (PDF)