One-in-10 People Conned Online March 26, 2007

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We all like Internet bargain-hunting for those ‘must-have’ gadgets but are we being ripped off in the process?

According to some alarming data from the industry online safety group, Get Safe Online, one in 10 people in the UK has been had online in the past year, to the tune of £875. Ouch!

The UK has 29 million Net users and the survey found that 12 per cent (almost 3.5 million) have experienced online fraud in the past year. Most were caught out while shopping online, while general fraud, bank account and credit card fraud made up the rest.

Importantly, it’s not just down to a wave of e-crime but also to user ignorance of basic online surfing rules. Less than half of UK surfers believe online safety is their responsibility, with many saying the banks or ISPS should do it for them. You know, right after someone wipes their arses for them.

You can read the survey highlights here and find some online safely tips here.-Martin Lynch

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