Buy online but watch for crime, shoppers told

The government today issued its annual encouragement to shop online over the Christmas season, offering sensible advice to those hoping to avoid crowded high streets or order presents from abroad.

Mori research released alongside the safe shopping advice found that about a quarter of the UK population had bought something online in the last year - roughly the same number as Mori found in November 2001. Concerns about credit card fraud and data protection have decreased this year, and less than 1% of respondents reported being victims of fraud themselves.

However, many respondents said they were wary of shopping online because they could not see, touch or feel the goods they were buying, an objection that no amount of safe shopping advice can address.

Melanie Johnson, the consumer minister, said today: "Shopping on the internet can be safe if you follow a few simple rules. Our research shows that consumers have greater confidence in the safety of online shopping than they did a year ago. Our checklist for safe internet shopping aims to help dispel lingering fears about the safety of buying goods on the internet."

The government advised shoppers to use sites recommended by trusted sources, take down company phone numbers and postal addresses, and keep all email correspondence and order forms.

The Mori research also tracked orders from abroad. The US ranked as by far the most popular online shopping destination overseas (68%), followed by France (24%), Spain (17%), Hong Kong and Italy (each 9%). While shoppers appreciated lower foreign prices, some were held back by concerns over the potential problems in purchasing from abroad.

The government responded today by emphasising a European extra-judicial network for cross-border redress of consumer issues and improved international cooperation against cyber-criminals.