E-Commerce Fraud: Nowadays online shopping has become easier than ever, but along with this, cases of online fraud are also increasing rapidly. As the number of online buyers is increasing, cyber criminals are also targeting them in new ways. These thugs are creating fake websites, calling fake customers as services and trying to steal their personal and banking information from people by sending fishing SMS.
Government advised to be vigilant
The Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C), the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a public warning in view of this threat. In this, users have been advised to beware of the scam link sent in the name of fake shopping websites, fake delivery messages and order updates. The government’s cyber security agency CyberDost also tweeted, “Beware of online shopping scams, fake sites and fishing messages are increasing. Do not click on a link without checking. Just shop on reliable platforms.”
What is a shopping scam?
Online thugs adopt many types of methods and take users in a trap so that money or bank information can be obtained from them.
Fishing delivery message: You will get an SMS or email in which it will be written that your order is on hold or the payment is to be confirmed. By clicking on the link given in the message, you reach a fake website, which steals your card or UPI details.
Fake websites: These sites look like real e-commerce platforms. Large discounts and rare products are lured on these. As soon as you pay, either the product does not come or the site itself disappears.
Social Media Scams: Fake deals are promoted through sponsored posts on platforms like Facebook. By clicking on these, you reach the fake website which asks for your personal information.
Payment Confirmation Fraud: Such fake messages come in which it is written that your order could not be fulfilled, please verify the payment. On clicking, the virus or malware is downloaded or your bank details may be stolen.
Keep yourself safe
Follow some precautions to avoid these scams.
- Do not open the link given in an unknown number or email message. To check the status of your order, go to the respective website or app.
- Always use official e-commerce app or website. Do not trust the deals from social media or forwarded messages.
- Before the payment, make sure that the URL of the website is starting with “and the wrong spelling name of a popular site is like” Amaz0n.in “.
- No legitimate company will ask you for the security code of OTP or card. Be alert immediately with the person doing so.
- If shopping from less identified sites, first check customers review and rating.
- If you are a victim of a fraud, call the 1930 helpline or file a report on cybercrime.gov.in.
- Be cautious while shopping online, so that the benefit of facility does not change in loss.
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