Online shopping scams - How to stay safe when shopping online
Online shopping scams
Beware of these common signs of a shopping scam
Technology has evolved over the years, making it easier to complete daily tasks such as writing up a document, communicating with friends, and shopping. However, despite how amazing technology is, it can have its downfalls. One of those is online shopping scams.
There are different types of fraud that can happen on the internet. Online shopping scams seem to be one of the most common ones that people fall for. Shoppers are susceptible to these scams due to the nature of the retail industry. Retailers are constantly trying to compete with one another by offering customers and businesses the best deals.
So, it's no wonder that when someone is browsing the internet and spots a deal with a huge reduction on an item, they immediately purchase it.
However, businesses and individuals are being warned of an increase in online fraudulent activity over the Christmas period and leading into the new year.
Online shopping scams involve criminals pretending to be legitimate online sellers. Cybercriminals can create identical websites to genuine ones, making it difficult for individuals to tell it's fake. They can use sophisticated designs, steal the logo of a company, and even use a similar domain.
These criminals seek to trick unsuspecting people into handing their money over believing they are in contact with reputable companies.
The most common online shopping scams involve popular brands, jewellery and electronics being sold at extremely low prices. For example, you might come across an Xbox Series S which is typically retailed at £249 on most reputable sites, being sold for £149. This £100 saving can persuade people to visit the website to purchase it. However, in doing this, you will likely receive a completely different item or nothing at all.
These types of online shopping scams will typically appear more around the Christmas period. This is because most scammers know that it's a stressful and expensive time of year for many. Therefore, more people a likely to buy into a good deal.
Online shoppers must learn to spot the signs of an online scam, so they don’t lose any of their money.
What are the signs of online shopping scams?
There are a few obvious signs that can give away online shopping scams. The first thing to remember is that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Even if the seller gives you their word that the item is genuine and sends you a photo, this isn't enough proof. You can't take the word of someone online. After all, it's so easy to build a whole new persona over the internet and come across as someone completely different.
So, it's important to be vigilant and not part with your money easily. Here are a few more signs to look out for.
Is the seller pressuring you into paying immediately? They might do this by telling you that the offer is only on for a short period, or that it's the last item left in stock. They will then usually ask you to transfer the money to a bank account.
The seller offers very limited details about the product itself or lacks any information about a returns policy if the item does not meet your requirements. They might also fail to provide any contact details.
You're purchasing an item and there isn't an option to use a secure payment service such as PayPal. We advise you consider shopping elsewhere. Reputable companies will always give an option for secure payment because it's in the best interest of the customer and keeps their personal information safe.
If a website, social media page, or advert has spelling mistakes or grammatical errors, this is a red flag and it may be a scam.
If you're visiting a social media-based store and you notice it has little interaction, limited followers, limited posts, limited information regarding deliveries or returns, and is selling products at a low price, it could be a scam.
There aren't many reviews for the product you are purchasing. This can be a strong indication it is a scam website/social media page. Individuals might have commented negative reviews on their website/social media channels, but criminals will often delete these comments to stop other people from realising it's a scam
How do I protect myself?
Any online shopper must protect themselves from the numerous scams on the internet. A few things you can do include:
Be suspicious if you notice low prices or extreme discounts. These low prices are to lure their victims into handing over their hard-earned money. This will often leave their victim disappointed with a purchase that is nothing like what they ordered, or with nothing at all.
Make sure the website is using 'HTTPS,' at the start of the URL.
Only use a website that has a locked padlock in the URL. This is usually an indication that it is a secure website. However, we still advise doing more research before placing an order.
We also advise you to check for any spelling or grammatical mistakes. Though these can happen by accident, they can also be an indication that it's a scam. A website that has been quickly put together by a scammer will likely contain a few obvious mistakes.
Check to ensure their refund and returns policy sounds fair. If the website or social media platform doesn't stipulate a returns policy or how to claim a refund if you're unsatisfied with the item, the seller might be difficult to get hold of if you raise a dispute.
If they don't provide information such as the location of the business, contact number, or an email address, we suggest you avoid ordering from them.
Always carry out research when buying directly from a seller. Asking friends, family, or colleagues if they've bought from them before, as well as advice on whether they believe it is safe to do so is a great way to keep safe. If they suspect that the website/seller is dodgy, they will usually advise you to shop elsewhere.
Ensure you're keeping your device’s anti-virus and software up to date. Doing this will help add an extra layer of security from fraud and identity theft.
Create strong passwords for all your accounts to prevent cybercriminals from attempting to take your personal and bank information online. Remember, always use a different password for each account. If you've purchased an item from a dodgy website and entered your email and password before realising, you'll have given criminal access to all your accounts if they have the same login information.
Be cautious of any links in ads or social media. If you click an unfamiliar link, it could direct you to a fake website. Criminals will build these websites to look identical to reputable companies. These links can also contain other vicious attacks such as malware and viruses.
Use two-factor authentication on all your accounts to add an extra layer of security. This is useful because if you do accidentally send your email and password to a criminal, they won't be able to log in. Two factor means you will have a unique code sent to your mobile that they must enter to log in. Without this code, they can’t continue any further. You'll be notified via text message that someone has attempted to log in, and you'll receive the authorisation code. If this isn't you trying to log in, it'll prompt you to change your password, rendering the old password useless to the criminal. However, ensure your new password is completely different to the one they just guessed.
Finally, remember to limit how much information you share with other people online.
What to do if I am the victim of online shopping scams?
If you believe you have been the victim of online shopping scams, we advise you to do the following:
Contact your bank immediately so they can put a block on your account. If money has been taken, they will be able to advise you on how to claim this money back.
If you believe you are on a fake website, or you have given your details to a fake website, you need to report them to Action Fraud. Even if you haven't fallen for this scam, others might. The vulnerable are at a higher risk of falling for online shopping scams. By reporting this site and helping to get it taken down, you'll be helping so many others that could potentially be at risk.
If you have handed over other personal details other than bank information, we advise you to keep an eye out. Criminals can use this information to commit fraud. They can do this by opening new bank accounts in your name or getting out loans. If you receive any letters about new accounts or loans that you haven't taken out, call your bank immediately.
If you do purchase an item and you haven't received it or you are unsatisfied with it once it arrives, try and contact the seller first. There might be a reasonable explanation for it. However, if you don't hear back or the seller is instructing you to pay extra to have it exchanged, or is asking for more personal details, or being rude and threatening, you need to report them.
If you need to report the seller as you suspect it's a scam, contact your bank to see if they can reimburse you for the money lost.
Finally, remember we all make mistakes. These scams are designed to be convincing. The sooner you report it, the sooner it can be taken down. It's always best to tell friends and family as well. This way, it can help prevent more people from falling for online shopping scams.