What You Need To Know About Shopping Scams
Online shopping scams happen when scammers pretend to be real online sellers. They might create a fake website or place a fake ad on a legitimate retailer’s site. Here’s how it works:
While many online sellers are trustworthy, scammers can take advantage of the internet’s anonymity to trick unsuspecting shoppers. These scammers often set up fake online stores that advertise cheap and heavily discounted items to attract buyers. Once people visit these websites and see the low prices, they may end up making purchases.
Here’s where the problem starts: after buying something, the scammers gain access to your credit card details because they don’t use a legitimate payment service provider. Over the next few days, they use your card to buy expensive items for themselves. Additionally, since the fake online store is designed to look like a real one, it asks for your email address, password, and more personal information during the account creation and shipping process.
The danger doesn’t stop there. The scammers can sell your stolen data to malicious actors who may use it for phishing emails and messages. This can lead to serious problems. However, don’t worry. If you accidentally fall for a scam store, there are steps you can take to prevent further issues.
How To Handle Shopping Scams – The Easy 1, 2, 3 Steps
It’s important to know what to do if you’ve come across fake websites. Follow these three simple steps to protect yourself from scams. We’ve put together these steps to keep you safe online and prevent scams, showing our dedication to your security. Following these steps will help ensure your long-term online safety.
Step 1. Request a chargeback from your bank
If you’ve bought something from a fake website and suspect fraud, the first thing to do is ask your bank for a chargeback. Most likely, you used a credit or debit card for the purchase because these scam sites usually prefer cards for their shady dealings.
Even if the money has already been taken from your account or charged to your credit card, you can still get it back through a chargeback. A chargeback is when your credit card provider asks the seller to repay the money lost in a fraudulent or disputed transaction. In this situation, a chargeback is a surefire way to recover your money, whether or not you receive the product.
Step 2. Change your login credentials for all accounts
It’s important to change the passwords for all your social media and financial sites if you’ve dealt with a scam store. Why? Because scammers might get into all your accounts, especially if you use the same password for multiple accounts linked to the same email.
If they crack one account, they could potentially break into the rest. For instance, they might get into your Gmail, and then change passwords for your social media and bank accounts using the “forgot password” option.
You might be wondering how they get your Gmail login details in the first place. It’s because when you create an account on a dubious website, they usually ask for your Gmail address, name, and password during the sign-up process.
Step 3. Beware of phishing messages and emails
When scammers get hold of your email address from these websites, they can misuse it just like how leaked data is often misused. They might send you phishing emails aiming to trick you into doing what they want.
For example, you could get an urgent email pretending to be from your job or a familiar platform. It might say there’s a problem with your account or claim you’ve won a prize. These messages usually try to make you feel rushed. If they ask you to click a link or share unnecessary info, it’s crucial to ignore them. Engaging with them can lead to more risks.
Though spam filters catch most of these fake emails, some might slip through. So, now that you know about these risks, it’s important to stay cautious. Don’t worry too much, as many people get such emails every day. The key is not to fall for their tricks.
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Have you been scammed online?
If you believe a website is an online store scam or if you have been scammed by one, swiftly take the following steps to protect yourself:
- Report to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission): Visit www.ftc.gov and file a complaint. Share details about the scam. The FTC investigates and fights online scams, and your report helps them take action against fraudsters.
- Contact Local Authorities: Reach out to your local police or internet crime unit for help in investigating and potentially shutting down fraudulent websites. They have the jurisdiction to address cybercrimes in your area and can provide guidance on your situation.
- Alert the Legitimate Company (if applicable): If the scam impersonates a real company, inform them about the situation. This not only protects their reputation but also allows them to take legal action against the scammers. You can typically find the legitimate company’s contact information on their official website.
- Talk to Your Bank: Contact your bank or payment provider to cancel any suspicious transactions and dispute charges. They can assist in securing your finances and recovering lost funds. Promptly reporting the scam is vital to ensuring your bank can take appropriate action.
