One in 10 Britons victim of online fraud

LONDON: One in 10 British Internet users fell victim to online fraud last year, losing an average of 875 pounds ($1,715) each, according to a survey.

Many failed to take basic steps to protect themselves online and fewer than half felt they were wholly responsible for their safety while using the Internet.

Six per cent had suffered fraud while shopping online, four percent had experienced general fraud and three per cent were subject to bank or credit card crime.

The survey of 2,400 people was carried out by British market research firm YouGov for Get Safe Online, a campaign group set up by the government, police and private companies.

"We need users to take the same basic precautions in using the Internet as they would when making transactions in the high street, such as not sharing your bank details or passwords," said government minister Pat McFadden.

Nearly half said they did not have protection from spyware, computer software that secretly collects personal information when people use the Internet.

A fifth of those polled said they had replied to spam messages and 10 percent had clicked on an Internet link within a spam email.

Nearly a quarter said most of their online security passwords were the same. Five per cent used the same password for every site.

Tony Neate, managing director of Get Safe Online, said people must do more to help prevent fraud.

"If we all take greater care to protect our personal information online, we can reduce the majority of these criminal activities," he said. "Our message is that each one of us has to take greater personal responsibility for our own online security."

Fewer than half of those polled felt responsible for their online safety. One in six said it was down to their bank to protect their details and 13 per cent said their Internet service provider must shoulder the burden.

More than three-quarters felt there should be lessons in schools to help children to stay safe on the Internet.