Experts are warning people to be vigilant whilst shopping online during the Boxing Day and January sales. E-commerce experts at Love The Sales have revealed how to avoid common shopping scams. They say these sale periods make consumers ‘prime targets’ for online shopping scams, especially when consumers are less careful amidst the panic to get the best deals, according to a WalesOnline report. The key is to be alert to fake stores and remember that if it looks too good to be true then it probably is. Stuart McClure, Co-Founder at Love the Sales said: “Unfortunately prime shopping periods such as Boxing Day and January sales can be marred by criminals preying on shoppers hoping to get the best deals. Impacting individuals not only financially but emotionally by ruining the New Year with counterfeit products or no products at all. “While these con artists will always be present online, you can take steps to defend yourself against these individuals. It all comes down to identifying the most typical scams and staying vigilant. To help protect yourself and your money, follow these tips and you can sign up for email alerts from Trading Standards and Action Fraud to help you stay ahead of the latest scams.” Read more: Follow our Boxing Day Sale LIVE blog for all the best deals Poll: What’s the best Christmas movie of all time? Get breaking news on the BirminghamLive WhatsApp Five top tips to avoid these common shopping scams Look out for fake online stores: Scammers have taken advantage of the internet’s anonymity to defraud unwary customers. Fake websites are nothing new, but they look more legitimate than ever before. Scammers use photos from real sellers and mimic the look and feel of real trusted stores. Use traceable payment methods: If there aren’t reputable payment methods on a website, see this as a massive red flag. If you’re asked to pay using cryptocurrency or bank transfer, think twice before paying. It’s often difficult and may be impossible, to get your money back if you send a payment with one of these options. Do your research and ensure they are a reputable system to use. Look out for “too good to be true” deals: We all love a bargain, right? But a lower-than-average price may be a strong indicator that you are being scammed. Often these will be found through what are deemed ‘reputable; marketplaces such as Facebook, eBay or Amazon. This can result in either you paying for a counterfeit product or receiving nothing at all. Keep your passwords secure: If all your passwords are the same, it’s time for a re-think. Whilst it makes it easier for you to remember, once an online scammer figures out one password, then it’s easy for them to turn around and try it on all of your accounts. Avoid dodgy emails: An easy tactic that many consumers will fall victim to is the fake ‘branded’ email that offers exclusive deals for your favourite brands. The email will be branded with the retailer’s branding and often looks legitimate. Check it out fully before proceeding and go straight to the brand’s website rather than clicking on links.
Five Boxing Day and January sale scams to watch out for
