Which Products Are Scammers Targeting Right Now? Data Reveals the Latest Trends

Online shoppers encounter the greatest risk of fraud, with one in every 83 transactions identified as fraudulent, according to a recent analysis exposing the vulnerabilities of digital commerce. This comes amid reports revealing that UK consumers lost a record £1.17 billion to fraud in 2024, largely fueled by the increase in remote and online shopping.

A detailed study by BLogic Systems analyzed fraud rates across multiple purchasing sectors, revealing that online shopping and e-commerce experience the highest fraud rate at 1.21%. Other online retail sectors ranked second with a fraud rate of 0.98%, highlighting that digital transactions are far more vulnerable to fraud compared to in-person purchases, which generally have rates below 0.5%.

The research revealed that physical retail is not immune to fraud. In-store grocery shopping ranked a surprising third, with a fraud rate of 0.92%, equating to roughly one fraudulent transaction in every 108. This shows that high-volume physical stores continue to be prime targets for criminals employing tactics such as payment card fraud.

Also, read: Red Flag Alert: Experts Warn That Jobs Asking for Money Are Scams

A spokesperson for BLogic Systems remarked on the findings: “Fraud risk varies based on the purchase environment, with online transactions inherently facing higher fraud due to limited physical verification. However, no purchase method is safe, as fraudsters continually adapt to all channels.”

They emphasized, “Consumers and businesses must stay vigilant across all sectors, balancing convenience with robust fraud detection measures. Understanding the risk of fraud by purchase type can help promote safer spending and enhance protection strategies.”

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The study evaluated 14 different purchasing categories based on their fraud rates. Here is the complete breakdown:

1. Online shopping/e-commerce: 1.21% (1 in 83 transactions)
2. Other online retail: 0.98% (1 in 102 transactions)
3. Grocery stores (in-store): 0.92% (1 in 108 transactions)
4. High-street & department-store (in-store): 0.43% (1 in 234 transactions)
5. Petrol stations & transport: 0.27% (1 in 366 transactions)
6. Travel bookings: 0.23% (1 in 436 transactions)
7. Online grocery delivery: 0.21% (1 in 474 transactions)
8. Other in-store retail: 0.21% (1 in 480 transactions)
9. Beauty & personal care: 0.18% (1 in 562 transactions)
10. Entertainment & leisure: 0.15% (1 in 680 transactions)
11. Gyms & wellness: 0.14% (1 in 705 transactions)
12. Restaurants & take-away: 0.14% (1 in 727 transactions)
13. Kids & pet supplies: 0.13% (1 in 749 transactions)
14. Home, DIY & garden: 0.13% (1 in 781 transactions)

The comprehensive ranking delivers a clear message for today’s consumers and businesses: although the digital marketplace provides unmatched convenience, it also carries the highest risks. These findings highlight the need for heightened vigilance and stronger security measures across all purchasing platforms, whether online or in physical stores.