Mid-Season Sales are a great time for bargains. However, they also attract cybercriminals who set up fraudulent sites, hoping to ensnare unwary consumers. This article explains how to shop online safely and what to do if you fall victim to a scam.
Although cybercriminals are creating increasingly sophisticated websites, there are certain signs that can alert you and help you avoid falling into their trap:
- Check the website URL: A reliable site always begins with "https", not "http". The extra "s" means that your data is secure. If this is not the case, it's best to avoid entering your personal or payment information. Also pay attention to subtle changes in the URL.
- Offers that are too tempting: If the prices are far too low to be realistic, this should be a red flag. A large discount compared with the competition is certainly a sign of a scam.
- Legal information and contact details: Make sure the site has clear legal information, such as general terms and conditions of sale, a postal address and a telephone number. A site without this information or with suspect contact details (such as a generic e-mail address) should be avoided.
- Questionable or non-existent customer reviews: Check other users' reviews on independent platforms. Don't trust the reviews on the site itself. If it's a fraudulent site, the reviews have certainly been invented. If you don't find any reviews or if they are all incredibly positive, be careful.
- Lack of a clear returns policy: A serious web shop will have a well-defined returns and refund policy. If you cannot find this information or if it is ambiguous, this is another warning sign.
- Questionable spelling and presentation: Fraudulent sites often contain grammatical or spelling errors, blurred or poorly positioned images, and an overall poor design. However, cybercriminals are becoming increasingly professional and a fraudulent website may be a carbon copy of another site.
If, despite all your precautions, you find that you have bought from a fraudulent site, don't panic. There are ways to get your money back.
- Contact your bank: If you have paid by transfer or debit card, contact your bank immediately. Explain the situation and ask for the transaction to be blocked. The faster you react, the greater the chance that the bank will be able to recover the money from the fraudster's bank. In any case, the bank will do everything it can to ensure that you get your money back, or at least part of it.
- Call your credit card company: If you have used a credit card, you have extra protection. Many credit card organisations (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) offer refund guarantees in the event of fraud. You can visit the macarte.be website to open a purchase dispute file and request a refund.
- Keep an eye on your bank statements and if you notice any suspicious transactions, call Card Stop immediately on 078/170 170 to block your card.
- File a complaint: If you have been scammed, it is important to lodge a complaint with the local police. This will not only help in investigations against fraudulent sites, but will also increase your chances of recovering your money through legal proceedings.
- Report the fraudulent site: send the URL of the fraudulent website to suspicious@safeonweb.be. This will prevent other people from falling into the trap. Internet users will then receive a warning message when they want to visit this site.
- Report the offence on the ConsumerConnect site.
By following these few simple rules, you can avoid scams and buy online in complete safety. If you are a victim of fraud, you can take action through your bank or credit card company. Always be careful and enjoy your online purchases!
More information on security when shopping online.
