Worcestershire Trading Standards have urged shoppers to get savvy and stay safe this Black Friday (November 24).

With more people planning earlier for Christmas, the organisation has warned residents to stay alert against fake adverts, scam emails and bogus websites.

The Trading Standards team have also issued a list of top tips after seeing a rise in fake and faulty products bought online leaving shoppers at risk of fraud.

Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for communities, Marcus Hart, said: “More people are shopping online from their living room this year. So, shoppers must know how to keep themselves cyber safe and understand their rights as a consumer if things do not go to plan.”

A few key ways to stay safe include using well-known retailers, always selecting a secure form of payment such as PayPal and being cautious around items that seem too cheap to be true.

To learn more about consumer rights contact the Citizens Advice Customer Service at 0808 223 1133.