Stop! Think Online Shopping Scams #FraudFree2026

Stop! Think Online Shopping Scams #FraudFree2026

Good afternoon,

It’s almost the end of October, the nights are drawing in, and perhaps your thoughts are turning towards treating yourself to some new winter clothes, starting to stock up for the winter months, or maybe, if you are very organised, you are starting your Christmas shopping (if you celebrate Christmas).

Whatever the reason, please follow these top tips for safer online shopping:

Always use a credit card for all online purchases – if you spend over £100 and up to £30,000 you will receive protection under Section 75 of the Credit Consumer Act, and you won’t be sharing your bank details. Talk to your bank/building society about the best option if credit cards aren’t for you.

Read online reviews to check websites and sellers are genuine, and ask to see high value items in person or via video link, as well as getting copies of the relevant documentation to ensure the seller owns the item.

Purchase items made by a major brand from the list of authorised sellers listed on their official website.

Always access the website you’re purchasing from by typing it into your web browser and be wary of clicking on links in unsolicited emails or posts on social media.

Always ensure you click ‘log out’ or ‘sign out’ of websites.

The introduction of Lucy’s Law makes it illegal for you to purchase pets sold by a third-party seller: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lucys-law-spells-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-puppy-farming . If you’re looking for a pet, buy it directly from a breeder or consider adopting from a rescue centre instead

If you have visited a website you think is suspicious you can report it to the National Cyber Security Centre at: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-this-website/report-scam-website

For more advice about safer online shopping please see: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/shopping-online-securely

Please do share this important update with friends and family and encourage them to sign up for their own Hampshire Alert: https://www.hampshirealert.co.uk/

Hampshire Alerts is not a crime reporting portal – please do not report crime here.

If you realise you’ve been defrauded and wish to report a fraud that has already happened, please report it to Report Fraud either by phone 0300 123 2040 or online at: https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/

However, if a fraud or other crime is in progress, and/or you are in fear for yourself or someone else, and/or there is evidence in situ that could be damaged/destroyed, please phone 999 immediately.

Otherwise, report non-fraud crime online, or find out about other ways to report a crime at: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

If you would like to report a crime anonymously please contact: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or phone 0800 555 111

If you've been affected by a crime please contact Victim Care Hub for free, confidential, support: https://www.hampshireiowvictimcare.co.uk/ or phone 0808 178 1641

If you’ve received a phishing email please report it to your email provider and/or forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you’ve received unwanted phone calls or texts from people you think are trying to scam you, but you haven’t engaged with them, please forward the text/phone number to 7726 or your phone provider.

Thank you – Fraud Safeguarding Team

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Fraud Safeguarding Team
(Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, Fraud Safeguarding Officers, Hampshire and Isle of Wight)