Net fraud rampant in Britain
p2pnet.net news:- More than one in every ten British Net users were victims of online fraud in 2006, says a UK government and industry online safety project.
And more than half of the people questioned thought there should be an Internet Safety Test similar to a driving exam to make sure web users are aware of the risks, “and of their personal responsibility to stay safe,” it says.
It cost those sucked in by online scammers some £875 (today, about $1,719) each over the past twelve months, says Get Safe Online.
In the last year, 6% of all internet users (1.7 million people) suffered fraud while shopping online, 5% (1.5 million) experienced another form of general online fraud and 4% (1.2 million) were subject to bank account or credit card fraud as a result of activity online, and some people suffered more than one of these, says Internet Safety: The State of the Nation.
The report found 93% of Net users surf daily and that, on average, each spends some £1,044 (today, about $2,051) per year buying goods and services on the web – equivalent to £30 billion for the UK online population as a whole.
But fewer than half (48%) of UK Net users feel they’re responsible for their own online safety, says the study, going oin:
“One-in-six (16%) believe their bank is wholly responsible for their online protection, whilst 13% feel that it is up to their internet service provider.
“When asked which two things they take most care to protect, internet users report that they look after their credit/ bank cards and their wallets first and foremost (56% and 42% respectively). Just 9% take most care to protect their website password and 1% their email address.”
More than three-quarters of those surveyed (78%) felt there should be lessons in schools to help young people understand the risks and know how to stay safe online.
Also See:
Get Safe Online – Press release: Online fraudsters ‘sting’ users for £875, March 26, 2007
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Tired of being treated like a criminal? They depend on you, not the other way around. Don’t buy their ‘product’. Do bug your local politicians. Use emails, snail-mail, phone calls, faxes, IM, stop them in the street, blog. And if you’re into organizing, organize petitions, organize demonstrations and then turn up on your local political rep’s doorstep, making sure you’ve contacted your local tv/radio station/newspaper in advance. Don’t just complain. Do something!
