Have yourself a safe e-Christmas

The take-up of ecommerce in the UK is on the increase - but is still being held back by the fear of fraud, according to the latest government research.

A Department of Trade and Industry survey, conducted by Mori, has found that internet sales during the festive season will top £1.7bn, with more consumers than ever before spending online to beat the high street crush.

Nevertheless, the research also found that the figure would be higher if security fears were assuaged.

As a result, Consumer Minister Melanie Johnson today moved to reassure online shoppers that it is safe to log-on and buy - as long as they follow some simple guidelines.

They are:
* Use sites you know or are recommended
* Get the supplier's phone number/postal address
* Keep copies of emails and order forms
* Check your cooling-off rights

The government also stressed that the law offers protection against card fraud.

Miss Johnson said: "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."

Nielsen//Net Ratings Third Quarter 2002 Global Internet Trends Report, also published today, found that 70 per cent of the people who browsed online for products or services in the UK in the third quarter went on to make a purchase - the highest conversion rate of the ten major markets studied by the research outfit.

Online advice on safe internet shopping can be found at http://www.consumer.gov.uk/consumer_web/e-shopping.htm