SCAMMERS are taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic by tricking online shoppers out of money.

Action Fraud has issued the warning as online shopping traffic takes a sharp rise.

During the past six weeks, there has been a notable increase in the number of people reporting coronavirus-related frauds.

More than 100 victims have been identified with losses of £970,000.

This relates to online scams, where people have ordered protective masks, hand sanitisers and other virus-products.

And Action Fraud has also received more than 200 reports about coronavirus-themed phishing emails, which attempt to trick people into opening malicious email attachments or reveal sensitive personal and financial information.

The advice is:

* Watch out for scam messages – do not click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails and never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for personal or financial details.

* Shopping online – if making a purchase from a company or person you do no know or trust, carry out some research first and ask a friend or family member for advice before completing the purchase. Where possible, use a credit card to make the payment, as most major credit card providers insure online purchases.

* Protect devices from the latest threats – always install the latest software and app updates to protectdevices from the latest threats.  

Avon and Somerset police are not aware of people in the force area being targeted in the latest scam but advise everyone to follow the Action Fraud guidelines and be vigilant.

Anyone who thinks they have been a victim should call the police on 101.