CARTOON

Don't buy into these online shopping scams

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of online shopping. From the time you add your items to cart to when the postman hands over the package, it feels like you’re receiving a gift from yourself (how thoughtful!). Yet, while online shopping might provide a hit of dopamine for some, it can cause a load of distress if you’re caught up in a scam. Below we’ve pulled together the biggest online shopping cons to remove from your cart.

1. FAKE E-SHOPS WHAT IS IT?

We all love a good bargain, but if you spot a site spruiking a deal that’s too good to be true, cyber security expert for Avast, Stephen Kho, says it probably is.

“Fake e-shops usually aim to exploit unsuspecting consumers for financial gain by offering ‘bargains’ that consumers think are a great deal,” he says. “Cybercriminals often target individuals who are less familiar with online security practices or those who may not be diligent in verifying the legitimacy of websites.”

THE SOLUTION

“While some fake e-shops may have sophisticated designs, there are often giveaways that users can spot,” Kho explains. “Readers should be cautious if the website has a poorly designed layout, contains numerous spelling or grammatical errors, lacks contact information, or if the deals seem too good to be true.”

You should check for secure website connections (https://), online reviews of the site and verify the shop or brand’s domain name by comparing online search results.

2. CREDENTIAL STUFFING WHAT IS IT?