Stuart Anderson MP has urged residents in South Shropshire to protect them and their loved ones from scams, as new year sales are set to be advertised online.
It follows research from Citizen's Advice, which has found that more than seven million UK adults have been personally deceived by a scam in the past year.
More than a quarter (26%) of those personally deceived were duped while shopping online - with these types of scams including the likes of fake websites and counterfeit or non-existent goods.
At the same time, 7 in 10 (68%) of people targeted by a scam do not tell anyone about it. This includes friends, family, organisation being impersonated - as well as the relevant authorities.
In response to this situation, Stuart is promoting the national ‘Stop! Think Fraud’ awareness campaign which was launched in 2024.
This ongoing campaign aims to make it easier for residents to recognise fraud and take steps to protect themselves, their family, and friends.
It provides practical information on how to spot fake online adverts, including deepfake celebrity investment endorsements, and advice on how to report these scams if individuals fall victim.
It is the latest edition to Stuart's Scam Awareness and Support Hub, which he launched in February to safeguard fellow residents from these pernicious activities.
In February, Stuart also urged Ministers to launch a strategy to improve awareness and increase the confidence to report any incidents so they can be quickly investigated and acted on.
A response confirmed that the government is developing a new and expanded strategy, which it said is due to be published in early 2026.
However, Stuart has said urgent action is needed to better deter criminals and protect residents from these activities which have both mental and financial repercussions.
While online shopping scams has taken the top spot, Stuart is warning residents about other scams and fraudulent activities including scam texts, phone calls, and fake advertising.
Residents can register their landline or mobile number with the Telephone Preference Service for free. It is a register of people who have said they don't want to receive marketing calls.
Residents can also register with the Mailing Preference Service, a free service that allows people to opt out of unsolicited direct mail from companies and organisations that are members of the Direct Marketing Association.
For complaints about fraud or scams, residents should contact Action Fraud, the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"I am greatly concerned by the growth and scale of online fraud and scams, which continue to impact many residents in South Shropshire. With new year deals and discounts increasingly advertised online, scammers are likely to be more active at this time of the year - trying to trick individuals into revealing personal and financial information. Online scams can be incredibly convincing, with new figures from Citizen's Advice revealing that seven million of us were scammed last year. Ahead of the new year sales, I have updated my Scam Awareness and Support Hub on my website to help residents identify and report scams with increased knowledge and confidence."
