MORE than 13,000 people in South Cumbria have fallen victim to online fraud and their details are up for sale on the internet.

New figures released by C6 Fraud Intelligence show 13,366 people's details from the Westmorland area are available to buy on the 'dark web' - a secret online world used by international gangs.

For years these gangs have operated largely undetected, selling victims' details after hacking their email accounts or rummaging through bins to obtain passwords and credit card details.

Often they obtain account details and passwords when people unwittingly reply to a bogus email from what appears to be their bank.

But recently hackers have targeted large companies such as Ebay and stolen potentially millions of account details in one foul swoop.

Darren Innes, CEO of C6 Fraud Intelligence, said: "My belief is, because of large corporate hacks on companies like Tesco or Ebay, gangs have over two billion personal records and these details are now coming to market."

Darren has now launched a website that tells users, free of charge, if their details have been stolen.

The site, www.hasmyidentitybeenstolen.com, trawls the dark web and finds victims' details before they are sold on.

"Imagine the internet is an iceberg," said Darren.

"Google only displays about four per cent of that iceberg - the rest is hidden below the surface and is protected by passwords.

"The dark web is risk-free crime - you can order a hitman or buy weapons.

"We find IDs before they are sold to gangs by finding it while it's still up for sale.

"It's really simple for people to find out if they're the victim of fraud - visit out website and type in your email address.

"We will have all the records and be able to tell you if passwords have been compromised."

Cases of online fraud have risen by 5,000 per cent in the last two months and it is more important than ever that people check their accounts regularly.

"It's very easy to get defrauded," said Darren, 48. "There's nothing to be dramatically concerned about if you are aware that they have your ID - you can change passwords and details.

"It's when you ignore it that it's a problem."

How to stay safe:

1. Don't reply to emails from people you don't know.

2. Check the email address closely before you reply - if it doesn't match your bank's then don't reply.

3. Use different passwords for different websites and change them regularly.

4. Check your bank statement.

5. Get an online credit check from Call Credit.