Christmas shoppers are being warned to watch out for

fraudsters when shopping online during the festive period.

As part of a Christmas safety tips campaign, safe & sound, Dudley’s community safety partnership wants people to be aware of scams that target online shoppers.

Scams range from bogus websites advertising counterfeit goods and fake e-Christmas cards, which contain a virus to collect personal data, to selling goods that don’t exist via online auction sites or items that are bought never being delivered.

Many of the scams promise to save time and money but in reality deliver festive heartache and misery.

To find out more about online Christmas scams and pick up some top tips to protect yourself, visit www.dudleysafeandsound.org/christmassafety

Councillor Gaye Partridge, cabinet member for community safety, said:

“Many fall victim to online fraud every year leaving them out of pocket, so knowing ways to protect yourself, particularly at this time of year, is really important.

“Scammers know that at this time of year people are spending a lot of money and most people do some kind of online shopping, often not being as cautious as they normally would be.

“There’s lots of useful tips on the community safety partnership’s website www.dudleysafeandsound.org”

Sessions to raise awareness of online and offline frauds and scams are being held on Tuesday 26 February 2019, The Store House in Brierley Hill at 9.30am and 12.30pm. To find out more and book a place go to www.eventbrite.com