Research has revealed the UK's worst-hit areas for cybercrime, affecting thousands of Brits.
In 2021, the NFIB Fraud and Cyber Crime Dashboard recorded 445,377 reports of cybercrime in the country. A total of 382,776 cases were reported by individuals, while the remaining 60,111 were flagged by businesses.
Cyber attacks can be easy to fall for as people respond to unsuspecting emails, without realising they are suspicious. Hackers can also target people in business by trying to get their bank details or disrupt the daily life of their victims.
Some areas have been affected far worse than others, with cybercriminals choosing to focus on come areas of the UK, according to research done by the personal finance experts at Ocean Finance.
So which are the worst affected by cybercrime?
Where is the worst place to live for cybercrime?
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The worst place for cybercrime in the UK is Wales, according to research from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to all UK police forces.
The shocking data, measured by the amount of money lost, says victims in Wales lost a whopping £4.2million in total in 2021. This is around one-third of the total of £12.5mil.
From cases 1,267 cases, Welsh victims lost an average of £3,314 per attack. Most cases occurred in London, with 5,306 recorded, but there was a loss of far less with £621 per attack.
In total, there were 28,943 cybercrimes recorded in the data, averaging 79 per day.
The full list of the average amount lost per attack is as follows:
- Wales – £3,314
- North West – £1,423
- London- £621
- Northern Ireland – £331
- South West – £265
- North East – £261
- South East – £182
- West Midlands – £173
- East Midlands – £88
- East – £86
- Yorkshire & Humber – £58
- Scotland – £18
How do I avoid being scammed online?
There are a number of ways people can be careful online to make sure they avoid being scammed.
The first is to be suspicious and avoid interacting with emails you can't figure out where they came from.
Ocean Finance said: "Don’t go on messages from people you don’t know and don’t open up any attachments or follow any links. This is one of the easiest ways people can gain access to your personal information. Cybercriminals are becoming more advanced so make sure you check out the email address to make sure it’s right."
You should also make sure to avoid using the same password for different online accounts as a hacker gaining access to one means they can try them for other online services as well.
Other tips include:
- Use two-step authentication when you can
- Keep software and apps up to date with the latest security releases
- If you are not sure about a suspicious-looking email or text, contact the company directly
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