Over one-third of families use the internet to shop. Coronavirus lockdowns in 2020 drove even more people to buy their things online. Scammers are building up bogus websites and tricking consumers into making purchases from them in order to capitalize on this trend. After placing their order and paying for it, customers could receive phony, subpar goods in comparison to what they were promised, or nothing at all. A subtype of this type of scam is classified scams, in which con artists act as legitimate sellers and place false ads on classified websites, newspapers, social media, or email.
What to look for
• Be aware of any deal that looks too good to be true, such as one that includes luxury goods or well-known brands being sold for an unusually low price.
• Avoid rushing or giving in to pressure from “limited offers” or “countdowns” until the end of the sale; con artists sometimes use such tactics.
• Online shops or classifieds that demand you pay with insecure techniques. These consist of wire transfers, bank transfers, money orders, gift cards with preloaded balances, and virtual currencies like Bitcoin. You probably won’t be able to get back much money sent in this manner.
How to protect yourself
It’s essential to protect your personal information, money, and priceless possessions, given how swiftly online scams are expanding. If you have been a victim of an online scam, do not panic. Regardless of how much money was taken, you can work with a group of experts to get it back. If you’ve ever become a victim of a scam like this, call Ezchargeback, and a group of knowledgeable experts can assist you in getting your money back and recovering your stolen dollars!
• Use your computer browser to go directly to an online retailer rather than clicking a link in an email or social media post.
• Use Google to look up reviews for the retailer, its online shop, and its products. Before logging onto free public Wi-Fi networks, give it some thought. Never do online business or conduct banking transactions using public Wi-Fi since cybercriminals prefer to linger on these networks and monitor your activity. They may even set up fake hotspots for you to connect to.
• Check out what other people are saying about a store’s social media advertisements by reading the comments.
• Check your statements frequently. Watch your transaction history if you’ve been purchasing online, and report anything suspicious right away. The first indication of credit card fraud may be a modest, unauthorized charge. Scammers frequently use this method to determine whether your account is active.
• If you’re unfamiliar with the website, be wary of rates that seem too good to be true, privacy policies, terms, and conditions, refund information that is missing, and websites that restrict your payment alternatives. If you need assistance, it should be simple to get in touch with customer support; even better if they have a number or physical address. You can find reviews and other buyers’ experiences online quickly.
• Check that your computer’s anti-virus software is up to date before you browse or shop online.
• If you need to log in to an account with an online retailer, use a strong password that is completely different from your social networking, email, or internet banking credentials.
• In general, debit cards don’t provide as much buyer protection as other payment methods; therefore, it’s advised to use a credit card or other payment method instead (e.g., PayPal).
• When purchasing used goods from a social networking platform or another online marketplace, enquire as many questions as you can upfront, check out the seller’s profile, and read previous reviews; Never divulge your passwords or bank account information or send a deposit without first seeing the item you’re buying.
Refund scam
Watch out for warning signs since con artists may use them to set up traps for you. No phone calls, phony pictures, and a price that sounds too good to be true may all be helpful in these circumstances. As a result, even while there isn’t a set plan for stopping payment fraud, there are always ways to make sure that the harm they cause is minimized. Remember! Making a complaint is never too late. Even though payment scams are frequent in today’s world, you can still prevent or recover from them. All types of fraud are prevented from and recovered thanks to Ezchargeback. Please don’t give up; we encourage anyone who has been defrauded or is currently defrauded to get in touch with us. Ezchargeback also offers tips on how to prevent falling for a scam and where to obtain help. In order to keep your friends and family secure, visit the Ezchargeback website.