Online Shopping Scam: Online shopping frauds are increasing rapidly, these tips will help you avoid them..
A recent YouGov survey has revealed a worrying fact, which revealed that 20% of urban Indians have fallen victim to online scams, of which online shopping scams are the most common. Online shopping scams include fake websites, phishing emails, social media ads, and fake shipping alerts.
In this, scammers create fake websites similar to real sellers to steal payment information. After this, phishing emails trick victims into entering personal details on fake websites.
What is an online shopping scam?
In this, scammers create fake and exactly similar websites to any site, which often influences people. Scammers promote it on social media.
Apart from this, they send you phishing emails to make a purchase, which contains a link. If you click on this link, you may fall into the trap of scammers.
These methods are used: Fake websites: Scammers imitate real online retailers and offer huge discounts on popular items. Once you enter your payment details, they steal your money and disappear.
Phishing emails: In this, scammers send links in the form of emails from trusted companies (banks, credit cards). They contain links that lead to fake websites that mimic the real ones. Entering your information on these fake sites gives them your personal information.
Social media ads: Deceptive social media ads promote fake products or services with unbelievable deals. Clicking on these ads redirects you to fake websites where you are tricked into sharing your payment information.
Fake shipping alerts: These alerts, which appear to be from legitimate shipping companies, are links to fake websites. Clicking on them prompts you to 'update' your shipping information and inadvertently hands over your details to scammers.
Keep these things in mind.
Always shop from the right online retailers. If you are not familiar with a store, check its legitimacy before making a purchase.
Don't click on links embedded in emails or social media ads unless you are sure of their source. Hovering your mouse over the link may reveal the actual destination website.
Make sure the website URL matches the retailer's name and begins with "https" for a secure connection.
Never share personal details (name, address, phone number, credit card information) on untrusted websites.
Credit cards are better than debit cards in terms of security.
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