Christmas preparations have begun in many areas of the world as December begins. While most people associate this with decorating their Christmas tree, many others associate it with SHOPPING.
Previously, shopping meant going to the store, but with the advancement of technology, it can now be done from the comfort of one’s own home. Shopping online with the help of deals can save you not only time but also money. However, you should only shop online from reputable retailers to save yourselves from online shopping frauds.
From a few years back, the number of consumers falling prey to a variety of con artists and websites selling low-cost goods has skyrocketed. There are numerous instances of consumers becoming trapped in the hands of internet fraudsters, ranging from damaged apparels to counterfeit smartphones.
According to a survey conducted by LocalCircles, at least one out of every five consumers has been duped while shopping online. Furthermore, some categories are more likely to be fake than others.
The fragrances and perfumes and cosmetics categories have the most fraudulent products, according to the poll, which included 27,000 respondents from 200+ districts. The fragrances, perfumes, and cosmetics area, according to a whopping 35% of respondents, has the biggest number of counterfeit products.
Fake sporting items were reported by 22% of respondents, while fake bags under the brand’s name were reported by 8%.
Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from online fraud this Christmas:
- Always buy from reputable platforms – Don’t buy from an unfamiliar or new site just because the products are cheaper. Before making a payment, double-check the internet platform’s authenticity.
- Scan thoroughly – Before purchasing any product, take the time to read all of the seller’s information. Fraudulent dealers are more likely to make mistakes or fail to properly list relevant product details. Spending a few minutes double-checking details could spare you from becoming a victim of identity theft.
- There is no such thing as a free lunch. This is something you and even retail vendors are aware of. Be cautious if you come upon a deal that appears to be too good to be true. It could be a ruse to get you to visit a specific page and jeopardise your security. Deals and discounts are prevalent at this time of year, but it’s always a good idea to be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. Before you take the jump and explore such pages and sites, use some cold hard logic.
- What if I’m tricked? – If you believe you’ve been duped, charged incorrectly, or the product you’ve been given is false, please upload it on the CopyKitten App – an initiative taken by InstaQuest Consulting Pvt Ltd. All you have to do is take pictures of the product, fill in a few details and submit it on the app. We will communicate it directly to the original brand and help them take necessary actions.