Stay safe this Black Friday and Cyber Monday

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, is urging shoppers to be careful during this Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

According to Action Fraud, 28,049 victims lost a total of £15.4M to online shopping fraud during last year’s festive shopping season.

Victims have reported purchasing items through online market places, such as Facebook and eBay, only for the items never to arrive, or buying through websites that appear to be legitimate but are later revealed to be fake.

Jeff Cuthbert said: “If an offer appears to be too good to be true it probably is. Always take a moment to stop and think before buying an item online, and try and stick to official retailers to ensure you stay safe.”

Action Fraud is encouraging shoppers to take the following steps to stay safe this Christmas:

• Stop:Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

• Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
• Protect: If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

More advice on how to stay safe is available on the Action Fraud website.