Millions scammed online despite widespread pledge to tackle fraud

Recent research from the consumer rights champion Which? shows that about 6.6 million people in the UK lost money to online scams in the last year.

This is especially worrying as many victims were tricked on sites being run by big tech companies which promised to do more about this problem by signing up to the government’s online fraud charter.

This voluntary charter was introduced last year to help fight online fraud by putting safety measures in place.

Unfortunately, a year later, it seems those promises of protection haven’t been fulfilled, despite most victims reporting their experience.

Where scams are happening

Most people who were scammed said they fell victim on:

• social media – 63%
• search engines – 42%
• online marketplaces – 39%
• messaging platforms – 23%

The most common platforms where scams occur include:

• Facebook – 37%
• Google – 33%
• Instagram – 20%
• Amazon – 18%
• WhatsApp – 18%

The study by Which? showed that one in five people come across suspicious ads or messages daily. Scams aren't just annoying; they also cause stress. In fact, 73% of UK adults feel distrustful of online ads.

The online fraud charter hasn't helped us feel safer. Many (34%) are now less likely to trust online platforms compared to a year ago, while only 3% of us feel more confident than before.

No accountability until 2027

The Online Safety Act hasn’t been fully put into action yet and it looks like tech companies might not be held accountable until 2027.

Which? says this isn’t good enough and that the communication watchdog Ofcom needs to put regulations into place a lot sooner.

Rocio Concha from Which? points out that every week without action gives fraudsters more room to operate.

Concha says: “For every week the government fails to take action, we lose millions to fraudsters and organised crime groups – taking money from productive firms, reducing overall levels of investment in the UK economy and damaging consumer confidence.

“The government and regulators need to act urgently to tackle the fraud epidemic or risk millions more falling victim to scammers.” 

Staying safe online

Staying safe online is important, especially with so many scams around.

Follow tips on how to spot a scam and read our guide about outsmarting online scammers.

Stay updated on the latest scams by following trustworthy news sources or websites that report on online threats.

Finally, trust your instincts. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always take a moment to think before clicking on links or sharing information.

By staying aware and cautious, you can protect yourself from online scams.