- Cardiff has the highest percentage of online shoppers in Wales
- Newport is at the second-highest risk of online shopping scam activity
- The top ten Welsh areas at high risk for online shopping scams
Cardiff is the place at Wales’ most exposed to online shopping scams, new research has revealed.
The study by leading chargeback firm and online scam specialists Payback Ltd analysed ONS data on how much different age groups shop online, and the age of the population in all 22 Welsh Unitary Authorities to pinpoint the area most at risk of online shopping scams.
Cardiff has the population at the highest risk of online shopping scam activities, with 87% of the people over 18 in the city set to make purchases online over the course of the year. The council has one of the largest proportions of people aged 25 and 34 years old (62,791 people), who make up just below one-fourth of the population over 18. ONS figures, show that 99% of people in this age group shop online- the highest rate, contributing to Cardiff being the most exposed area to online scams.
Newport is the next high-risk area for online shopping fraud, with 85.44% of its total population over 18 likely to make purchases online this year. Out of 92,694 online shoppers, 24% are between 25- to 34- years old.
Third in line is Swansea, whose online shopping population of 176,713 means 85.38% of its population over 18 years could be exposed to nefarious online activity when making online purchases. A little over one in ten (18%) are aged between 18 to 24 years, with ONS figures indicating that the age group is second most likely to shop online, with 96% doing so regularly.
Rhondda Cynon Taf comes fourth with 84.76% of its population to shop online this year. The fifth highest-risk area is Merthyr Tydfil with 84.73% of its population online carrying out online shopping activities.
A spokesperson from Payback Ltd commented: “It is vital that Welsh online shoppers, whether new to online shopping or experienced, stay vigilant to avoid falling victim to online shopping scammers who tend to offer deceitfully attractive deals and use seasonal sales tactics to their advantage. These findings offer a fascinating insight into the locations in Wales that need to be more vigilant in order to enjoy a fraud-free year.”
Powys was identified as the area with the lowest risk of online shopping scams with 81.74% of its population over 18 set to shop online. This is as a result of its largest age group being 55- to 64-year-olds who are not avid online shoppers.
Rounding up the safe three are Conwy with 82.16% and Monmouthshire with 82.23% of its population exposed to online shopping scam activities.
The top 10 Welsh areas most exposed to online shopping scams
| AREA | TOTAL POPULATION (18 and over ) | ONLINE SHOPPERS (18 and over) | % AT RISK OF ONLINE SCAMS | RANKING |
| Cardiff | 269,701 | 236,362 | 87.64% | 1 |
| Newport | 108,494 | 92,693 | 85.44% | 2 |
| Swansea | 176,713 | 150,878 | 85.38% | 3 |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf | 171,050 | 144,982 | 84.76% | 4 |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 42,480 | 35,993 | 84.73% | 5 |
| Caerphilly | 128,361 | 108,334 | 84.40% | 6 |
| Torfaen | 66,358 | 55,998 | 84.39% | 7 |
| Gwynedd | 88,322 | 74,519 | 84.37% | 8 |
| Blaenau Gwent | 49,994 | 42,122 | 84.26% | 9 |
| Bridgend | 104,438 | 87,918 | 84.18% | 10 |
The top 3 Welsh areas least exposed to online shopping scams
| AREA | TOTAL POPULATION (18 and over ) | ONLINE SHOPPERS (18 and over) | % AT RISK OF ONLINE SCAMS | RANKING |
| Powys | 92,109 | 75,291 | 81.87% | 1 |
| Conwy | 80,867 | 66,443 | 82.16% | 2 |
| Monmouthshire | 66,344 | 54,555 | 82.23% | 3 |
Further information can be found at Payback Ltd
Help keep news FREE for our readers
Supporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism, then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. Read More About Supporting The West Wales Chronicle
