Cumbria Police issue cyber crime warning ahead of Boxing Day sales

we're being urged to keep an eye out and not fall for deals that seem too good to be true.

Author: Joseph GartlyPublished 23rd Dec 2023

With Christmas fast approaching we're being urged not to fall for any scams.

People are expected to be looking out today for any last minute deals they can find, and many more are expected to hit the shops come boxing day for the sales.

However Cumbria Police are urging people not to fall victims to scams through either social media, whatsapp or emails.

DC Jon Hill is part of the force's cyber crime team, he says: "Cyber crime is the largest and fastest growing crime type in the country.

"It is seasonal as well, so these lingering deals that will be there, knowing what people want, searching for those last minute gifts. Criminals will target that.

"Fishing emails are one of the biggest problems we have. That's how over 90 per cent of people are compromised. They aren't hacked in that public perception of what hacking is.

"It starts with us being defrauded by realistic and convincing communications.

"People need to always be wary of every email they get. Ask who is it from, was I expecting it and what is it wanting me to do.

"A lot of the times they'll offer deals on be that jewelry or whatever. The thing will be this urgency of you to act and to click on a link without you really thinking about it."