THE risks of being conned while shopping online are greater than ever, figures warn today.

In Scotland, internet fraud is up 64 per cent on last year with Scots hit for millions of pounds annually.

Fraudsters are using more and more sophisticated ways to pinch personal details from web shoppers.

Scams such as phishing and pharming are widespread - despite many web users never having heard of the terms.

In contrast, a crackdown on high street card fraud has been a success following the launch of chip and pin.

Credit and debit card cons fell 13 per cent in the first six months of the year compared with last year.

But internet, phone and mail order cases went up by 29 per cent in the same period.

These types of fraud are known as card-not-present (CNP) crimes - as neither the card nor cardholder are present in the shop. CNP crime now accounts for 40 per cent of all UK card fraud, according the UK banking payments association APACS.

Just over half of all Scots shop online but many are not aware of some of the most basic pitfalls.

A quarter have given personal financial details but not checked the website's security standards.

A fifth have left their computer unsupervised then come back to continue shopping.

And 15 per cent of Scots have failed to log out at the end of a transaction, leaving their details on the computer.

Online banking fraud is also on the rise. Fake emails supposedly sent by a bank asking for log-in details are one of the most common cons, called phishing.

The emails are from fraudsters who use the details to steal people's cash. This type of crime cost £14.5million in the first six months of the year.

Tackling identity theft and credit card cloning have become top priorities for police, with more than 100,000 people ripped off by ID theft across the UKInternet card fraud now accounts for more than a quarter of all credit card losses at £58million.

Most people only find out they've become victims after credit cards have gone over their limit or their bank account becomes overdrawn.

But with online shopping set to smash all records this Christmas, APACS are warning shoppers to beon guard against internet card fraud. Spokeswoman Jemma Smith said: "Probably nearly everyone with access to the internet will buy something online this Christmas.

"There's no reason why they shouldn't do so in confidence, providing they're aware of the dangers.

"Online is the one area where chip and pin isn't having an impact and, in the long-term, we may use the technology which has worked so well on the high street to protect web shoppers too WHAT IS PHISHINGPHISHING - known as carding and spoofing - sees fraudsters try to glean sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card details, by posing as a trustworthy person in an official-looking email. Phishing relates to attempts to "fish" for users' financial information and passwords. Pharming is more complex and difficult to combat. Itsees fraudsters hijack a reputable website and misdirect shoppers to fraudulent sites or servers. Both online cons are forms of identify theft TOP TEN TIPS FOR INTERNET SECURITY1 Don't hand over card or bank account info to the fraudster. Try not to let cards and card details out of your sight. Don't give away passwords or PINs to callers or to unsolicited e-mails - known as phishing. 2 Only ever use a protected computer with up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall. 3Keep your cards andcard details safe. Most internet fraud happens because card details are physically stolen.

4 Sign up to Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode. These schemes issue users with a secure password.

5 Only shop at secure websites. Ensure the security icon - the locked padlock or unbroken key symbol - is showing6Make sure your PC settings use the highest level of security - not just the default ones.

7 Seek help online. Visit websites such as www.getsafeonline.org, www.cardwatch.org.uk or www.banksafeonline.org. uk.

8Check your statements as soon as you receive them. If you find a transaction you did not make, contact your bank immediately.

9 Consider using an internet-only card.

These offer extra protection if things go wrong.

10 Print out your order. When shopping online make sure you get a hard copy of your order form and the retailer's terms and conditions