LONDON, October 9 /PRNewswire/ --

- Bagging a Bargain Shouldn't Outweigh Security Risks When Shopping
    Online

    - By Using a Virtual Wallet Online Shoppers can Keep Their Personal Data
    Safe



The rise in food and energy prices combined with restrictions
by banks and credit card companies on consumer credit are going to force a
more frugal approach to Christmas shopping this year. As online shoppers use
price comparison sites to find the best possible prices from a wide array of
retailers, experts are warning against giving out personal information, such
as debit or credit card details, to lesser known merchants.

"The best prices are often too good to be true," comments
Martin Ott, Co-CEO at Moneybookers, one of the world's biggest online payment
providers. "Fraudsters know that many of us will be searching far and wide to
save money this Christmas and some will inevitably be setting up bogus sites
in order to steal your personal data. We would strongly advise online
shoppers to stick to the trusted online merchants or to open an eWallet to
keep their payment details secure."

eWallets provide shoppers with a cushion between them and the
security risks of the internet. Once the eWallet is set up, online shoppers
no longer have to give out debit or credit card details to third parties.
Instead, the eWallet provider acts as a middle man to facilitate the payment
directly from the customer's virtual account. As well as being highly secure,
it is also a surprisingly quick and convenient way to pay as all that is
required to make a payment is the registered email address and password.

"While online shoppers over here have so far lagged behind
those in the US where the majority use eWallets, we think this Christmas
shopping season is going to see a huge surge in uptake," continues Ott, whose
company is opening 10,000 new accounts each day.

Moneybookers is also asking online shoppers to consider the
following consumer protection advice while shopping online at Christmas:

1. Don't use unsecure payment methods: The safest way to pay
online is always the eWallet, where financial data is deposited only once and
with a highly secure provider. By shopping online with an eWallet, you can
pay quickly and securely using only an email address and password.

2. Always check for the key symbol in your browser: If your
data is transferred unencrypted then it could fall into malicious hands and
be misused. That's why you have to watch out for the key symbol at your
browser - a guarantee that the information will be sent securely. You should
verify this before divulging your address, bank account or credit card
details and this data should never be sent via email.

3. Read earlier customers reviews: Shoppers should read
customer feedback and weigh up the security of the site. Online shoppers
should also look for an escrow service which provides additional security in
the case of the purchased goods not arriving.

4. Check that customer service can be reached before making a
purchase: If you can't get hold of anyone before you buy then you won't be
able to at a later date either.

5. Be careful on websites that provide limited information: If
there is no name or contact person then you shouldn't shop with that site.
Also, if there is incomplete information about data privacy then the provider
may intend to pass your personal information.

About Moneybookers:

Moneybookers Ltd. (http://www.moneybookers.com) is one of
Europe's largest online payment systems offering domestic payment options in
50 countries and customer service in 12 languages. With over 5 million
account holders Moneybookers is one of the largest eWallets worldwide.
Moneybookers enables any business or consumer to securely and
cost-effectively send and receive payments online, simply by using an email
address. More than 14,000 merchants use Moneybookers' gateway product, among
them global ecommerce brands such as Skype, AOL, and QXL Ricardo. Dr. Thomas
Middelhoff serves as the Chairman of the Board. Moneybookers was founded in
2001 in London and is regulated by the Financial Services Authority of the
United Kingdom (FSA).

Media Contact: Toby Walsh | press@moneybookers.com | +44(0)777-3374545