Nowadays, almost everyone has bought something online at least once. Unfortunately, the number of people who’ve fallen victim to online shopping fraud is not low. Moreover, it is on the rise with an approximately 30 percent increase in 2017 compared to 2016! How can you protect yourself and your money?

Spotting the frauds

1. Not the original domain name

For instance, you’re searching for Pandora jewelry and end up on the site like Pandorabest.com, while the original site is Pandora.net. Always make sure you are on the right page. The frauds can vary their domain even slightly to confuse you and steal your money.

2. HTTPS without S

On an e-commerce site, the URL should start with “https,” where “s” stands for security, which means the communication between you and the site is encrypted. You are putting yourself at risk when making transactions on the sites without it.

3. Requesting your financial info when just browsing

Legitimate companies never ask for your financial information until it comes to the transaction. If the site, for example, asks your credit card number before you even want to buy something, be sure – it is a scam.

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4. Too good to be true

According to experts, if the product you want to buy on the website is much cheaper than on other sites or looks too good to be true, it may be a sign that it can be a fake item or you’re being scammed.

5. No return policy

Close the website in case their refund policy is unclear, sketchy, or absent. Shopping frauds will not return you the money if you are not satisfied with the purchase.

6. No contact info

Anyone can set up a website, so the frauds typically hide their contact info or provide the fake one. Check it up to make sure the site is OK.

7. Weird Google search results and bad reviews

You can always try googling the site or its owner. The results can confirm the legitimacy of the site, as well as the reviews. Sometimes, reviews are absent or make no sense at all. That’s a good sign you’ve found a fraud.

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Nowadays, more and more people prefer online shopping to the real one. It is very convenient, isn’t it? You can buy something in just 2-3 clicks and don’t even have to go outside. This increase in popularity, however, means more and more thieves are trying to scam and steal their money. Beware of the 7 described signs, and follow the rule of a thumb: use only verified and trusted websites. We really hope this article will help you save your money and leave those nasty scammers empty-handed.

This material is provided for informational purposes only. Some of the products and items discussed in this article may cause an allergic reaction and damage your health. Before use, consult a certified technician/specialist. The editorial board is not responsible for any harm or other consequences that may be caused by the use of the methods, products or items described in this article.