Fraud detection and payment processing software provider ClearCommerce Europe has completed a survey on online Christmas shopping and claimed that fear of fraud could result in a lower than expected takeup of e-shopping.

The company reports that 88% of all those questioned are scared of being a victim of credit or debit card fraud if they should shop online. Also, 12% have actually been victims of some form of fraud and 50% are concerned about their details being stolen via an e-commerce site.

Out of all those consumers that do shop online 60% are spending just GBP10 or under each month, generally from a secure and familiar environment such as their home PC or a computer at their workplace. The most popular online purchases tended to be low value items such as CDs, books, flowers and tickets, purchased by 62% of all those questioned. Just 12% of all online purchases were groceries, electrical goods, flights or holidays.