CYBER criminals are defrauding Dorset residents out of millions of pounds a year- but thousands are still using the same easy to crack passwords.

Internet crime cost the county £8.6 million last year.

But despite the majority of South West residents listing identify theft as their top concern, 38 per cent are still using the one same password for several online accounts.

This makes them easy prey for fraudsters, crime chiefs say.

The figures have been released by Get Safe Online and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau in a bid to get residents to wake up to the pitfalls of lax internet security.

Shockingly, 87 per cent of people surveyed believed they had not been targeted in the last 12 months– but 67 per cent actually had without knowing it.

The Echo has featured several stories in the last 12 months of victims of internet fraud.

April Lee, from Weymouth, got in touch last week after being conned through a website she thought was that of a reputable retailer.

After entering her bank details to buy an item of clothing, she saw an advert for a sample of 'free' face cream and decided to try it.

But, a few weeks later, April noticed she had been charged 89 US dollars – about £73.

April’s daughter called the American phone number listed to the company on her bank statement and demanded April be taken off their account, but, the company denied they knew about April’s case.

April said: “We went to my bank who put me in touch with the fraud team. They had heard of the company before.

“My son looked them up and found 48 other people who had been scammed by them.”

April also contacted the high street retailer she believed she was buying from.

“They were very nice about it,” said April. “They had no record of a sale or face cream. They told me to check the label of the snood I bought and when I did, there wasn’t one. So it looks as though the whole page I was on was a complete scam.

“It was my first time shopping online and it will be my last.”

Dorset Police Head of Investigations, Temporary Detective Superintendent Pete Little said: “The threat from cyber-crime continues to be a rapidly growing problem and tackling it is a priority in Dorset.

“The Dorset Police Cyber-Crime Unit is already focused on ensuring that the Force provides a quality response to all forms of online crime in our communities. However a significant amount of cyber-crime could be prevented in the first instance if members of the public were aware of how to protect themselves from becoming victims of online crime.

“That’s why we are working with Get Safe Online to continue to equip members of the public and local businesses with the information and guidance they need to limit their chances of becoming victims.”

How to stay safe online

• Review passwords you use on online accounts. Make sure they’re strong enough and that you’re not using the same ones for more than one account. Consider how you’re going to remember them all – such as using an online password safe.

• Check social media privacy settings. Make sure your information and updates are seen only by those you trust.

• Update your operating system and software programs/apps on your computer, mobile phone and tablet if you’ve been prompted to do so. It takes only a few minutes and with your mobile devices, you can even do it while you’re asleep.

• Back up information – using the cloud is a great way to save all your documents, photos, music, emails and other irreplaceable files.

• Check that your internet security software and apps are up to date and switched on.

• If you have children, think about whether you’re doing enough to help ensure they’re staying safe online.

• If you’ve lost money report it to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting centre by calling 0300 123 20 40 or by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk If you are a victim of online abuse or harassment, you should report it to your local police force.

• Take a few minutes to read the expert, easy-to-follow, free advice on all of these and considerably more subjects at www.getsafeonline.org