The holiday season is here. You must be checking popular online sites for the best deals. Just like you, fraudsters are also active. They invest their expertise to steal sensitive information and money.
According to David Share, founder of the IT firm Amazon Support,
“UK customers have already lost £1.6 million to fraudsters this year.”
Additionally, he continues to say that most scams happen online and on auction sites. He advises, “One must take necessary precautions before incurring any transaction.” More individuals rely on online platforms for shopping.
However, retrieving the lost money may prove challenging. UK banks refund only up to 85000. The Payment System Regulator decides the amount you may get. Generally, the bank may refund according to the payment mode. If you pay the scammer in cash, recovery is rare.
Why scammers are the most active during holidays?
Shoppers are eager to find deals during the holiday season. They visit every site and platform to fetch affordable things. It is here most shoppers lose track. In eagerness, one fails to authenticate the platform. It is where the most scams happen. Many online platforms create duplicates of popular platforms. You cannot differentiate the real one from the fake one.
This distraction of verifying the platform makes one lose hundreds of thousands of pounds. 80% of individuals check deals online during the holiday season. Thus, fraudsters share a high chance of making more money at that time.
Cybersecurity consultant James Bore says,
“ Be conscious and verify anyone you deal with. Most social media platforms are flooded with cheap goods. You may not receive the item you ordered.”
Thus, take some precautions while shopping online. Check the portal and reviews. Don’t do business with any platform that lacks reviews. It may not be legal. Similarly, confirm some good online shopping sites from your known ones. Experienced personalities may suggest some safe ones.
What types of phishing scams should you be conscious of?
Here are some popular online shopping scams that you should stand apart. One of the most common ones is the phishing email and texts. Scammers send texts and emails that may appear genuine. It reveals the current discounts and sales. Individuals seeking whopping discounts fall prey to this. You generally receive a futile item or do not receive one at all. Here are other online shopping scams to be aware of while buying anything online:
Be conscious of delivery scams. Fake senders often text regarding the delay. They may provide a link to re-add your details to resolve the issue. Your bank account gets hacked by providing details. Thus, avoid such texts and contact the company.
Basic preparations to do before shopping online
Yes, don’t start purchasing online just by landing on the website portal. Instead, prepare your profile before doing so. Here is how you can do that:
6 Strategies to Ensure Save Online Shopping During Christmas
Now, you know the basic steps to prepare before shopping during Christmas. Next, let’s understand the best strategies for safe online shopping during holidays. Check below:
1) Encourage smart credit card use
Individuals use credit cards the most during the holiday season. Most do it to grab unbelievable deals. Moreover, individuals with pending credits may want to use it now. You may be saving up for this day. You can utilise the credit card for that purpose. Moreover, Sector 75 of the Consumer Protection Act provides customer protection on credit card usage.
However, always track your expenses while using credit cards. It is not ideal for individuals shopping on a budget. Thus, check the credit card charges before using them. It helps you avoid paying unnecessarily. Popular portals like Money.co.uk may help you with that.
Alternatively, stop using credit cards for expenses below 3000. Instead, report to more affordable options like short-term goals. For example- you may get a 1000 loan from a direct lender for small home repairs like repairing the door knob. It is cheaper than credit cards. You know the money you pay by the agreement ends. Encountering that with credit cards is unlikely.
2) Know your rights as a consumer
If you purchase any item online, you share the legal right to return it. You can do so if you receive the wrong product or other issues. You may even get a refund by shopping from legal portals. However, most in-house or built-in stores don’t provide the facility.
In most cases, you share 14 14-day cooling period to return the package. However, return policies may differ from portals to portals. Always check the shipping and return policy before booking any item.
Contact the retailer and enquire. Identify the reason behind the delay. If you don’t get a response in a day or two, don’t worry. Check the Citizen Advice portal. It helps you understand what you are liable for in such situations.
3) Don’t provide details before checking out
Only provide basic details like- name, email address, and contact number. Avoid providing details like- debit card number, CVV, or related information. No platform asks for one unless you buy something. If you encounter any such platform, leave it immediately. Don’t create an account on the store if you are using the platform for the first time. Here is what you can do:
- You can check out as a guest. You don’t need to create an account by providing details.
- Using an online platform like Paypal, Apple, and Google Payments doesn’t require creating an account.
- Use the site in the incognito mode. It would not capture any details then.
- If you create an account on the portal, don’t approve the portal to save your financial details.
4) Set 2-step verification for important accounts
Never use the same passwords on all your online platforms. For example, you should have different passwords for email, social media accounts, and online banking applications. You can check this PDF by the National Cyber Security Centre for better guidance. Moreover, turn 2-factor verification for all your important accounts. For example- online payment modes, banking accounts, or credit cards. The 2-step verification sends a confirmation code to your smartphone before payment approval. It safeguards your payment system. It protects you from accidentally falling prey to fraudsters.
5) Remain aware of suspicious links
Cybercriminals insert unreliable links in texts, emails and social media posts. It is difficult to spot these. However, if you encounter a too-good-to-be-true offer, drop the platform. These are special platforms to trick a customer. If you receive any suspicious message, email or post, act now. You can take the following actions:
- You can forward an unreliable mail to Suspicious Mail Reporting Services
- Forward the suspicious text to 7726
- Report a suspicious website to NCSC
- Report an unreliable advertisement to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). If provenguilty, the authority removes the website from the internet.
- Monitor your credit card and bank statements
Keep a close eye on your credit card and bank statements. It will help you identify suspicious transactions. Moreover, you can redefine the budget to reduce holiday-related expenses. It will help you remain within budget and keep some money safe for emergencies.
Bottom line
These are some ways to stay safe while shopping online. It grants you more power over your finances. Additionally, know about your rights as a customer. Check the possibilities to get relief if you accidentally browse a suspicious link. Check the portals like Citizens’s Advice, NCSC and National Cyber Security Centre for help. These trusted portals may help you understand the stakes better.