Online consumers encouraged to ‘Click With Confidence’

A new survey from the Department of Trade and industry (DTI) has revealed that almost half of those who shop online have serious concerns over security of internet transactions.

Designed to coincide with the Government’s new campaign to promote the message that online shopping is secure, the survey shows that 47 per cent of people who use the internet to purchase goods have serious misgivings about the possibility of credit card fraud. In addition, a separate survey by PC manufacturer Compaq found that consumers believe more could be done to prevent such instances of fraud.

The Government campaign - “Clicking With Confidence” - is designed to address such concerns by raising awareness of how to ensure transactions are kept safe, and what consumer rights people have if things do go wrong.

However, it seems that consumers are not allowing their suspicions to interfere with their web shopping, as Britain now tops the league of net shoppers, spending much more online than any other European country.

The DTI survey also revealed regional differences in spending habits, with those living in London more likely to use the internet to purchase goods, while only 14 per cent of people in Wales shopped online. (CL)