Shopping on the internet is convenient, but it is easy to run into fraudsters. A few simple checks reduce the risk.
Check the shop
- There are contacts: address, phone, seller’s details.
- The site has a secure connection (a padlock in the address bar).
- There are reviews on independent sources, not just on the site itself.
- Prices are realistic: a price that is too low is often a sign of fraud.
- A domain name that resembles a well-known brand but has a typo is a reason to be careful.
Safe payment
- Pay by card through a secure payment service. Get a receipt after paying.
- Do not transfer money to the card of a private individual unless it is someone you know.
- Do not send a photo of both sides of the card or codes from messages.
- For online purchases you can set up a separate card with a small balance.
Delivery
Paying after inspecting the parcel reduces the risk. Do not give the seller a code from a bank message.
If the goods did not arrive
Keep the correspondence, the receipt and the seller’s details. Contact the seller, then the bank with a request to dispute the payment. Report it to the police or Cyber Police if you suspect fraud.
When buying from a private person, do not transfer a prepayment. It is better to arrange a meeting or use a trusted delivery with payment on receipt.
