Shopping online is a great way to save time and money but fake websites can try to trick you out of your money. We show you how to avoid them
The internet has completely changed the way we think about many aspects of our lives. Almost any information is now just a few clicks away and shopping can be done from the comfort of home at any time. However, with these new conveniences come new risks.
Sadly there is a growing number of fake websites designed to trick visitors into handing over credit card or bank account details. The promise of brand-name goods at dramatically reduced prices is often used as a lure, but in reality there may not actually be anything for sale.
Thankfully it is quite easy to avoid falling victim to such scams. In this feature we’ll reveal how to spot fake sites and how to use free tools to stay safe.
How scammers work The vast majority of online shops are legitimate. But there are a few that have been set up with the purpose of tricking visitors into placing orders for goods that do not exist then taking their credit card details. Fortunately avoiding these sites is relatively easy and won’ t cost you anything: keeping your wits about you and using a few free tools can help you avoid scams.
But how do these scams work? Generally, scammers attract customers away from legitimate shops by offering lower prices, or claiming to have goods in stock that are in short supply elsewhere. Last year one website claiming to have the then-elusive Nintendo Wii Fit game in stock attracted thousands of shoppers.
Scammers also attract shoppers by manipulating their websites so that they appear prominently when people search for certain goods online. Use a search engine to look for a particular brand of shoes, for example, and you’re likely to get results that include several shops selling that brand: scammers want to make sure their website is listed here. Don’t assume a shop is legitimate because it is listed on a search engine.
