The internet is full of shopping scams and scammers know they can take advantage of this. There is a lack of security with advertising, all a scammer needs to do is create a fake website where they can trick their victims into buying a product from them.
There are many different types of shopping scams you must be wary of, especially if you are a regular online shopper. Nevertheless, there are plenty of signs for shopping scams.
Question If The Offer Is Too Good?
One of the best ways to spot a scam is if the offer is too good, then it likely is a scam. It is a large discount on designer clothing or even be sold as a bundle.
Review the website and see if there are others which are also discounted. If you see more luxury items at a discounted price. If there are too many items discounted, this should ring alarm bells.
Always Check The Website Before Buying
If you have received an advertisement for a product you like, you must browse the website to ensure it is legit. Check the homepage of the website as well as the About Us pages. Try to find as much information as possible on the website and ensure its legitimacy.
There are many telltale signs which you can see on a website. Sometimes there may be poor grammar or incorrect English used across the website. If you can only see one error then that may be a genuine mistake however, if you see multiple errors, this is a risk.
Something else that a website should have is a Contact Us page. It is another sign that it could be fraudulent if it doesn’t have this page available.
Don’t Trust A Social Media Advert
Just because they are advertising doesn’t make them legit. It is easy to advertise on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, especially for a well-experienced scammer. All the scammer needs to do is create fake social media accounts and pages.
If you discover new companies through advertisements, Google them to check their website and try to find the reviews on their page. If a website doesn’t exist or there aren’t reviews. It is likely a scam.
As soon as you see a new advertisement with a new brand you have never heard of, research to ensure they are legit.
Scam Adverts On A Search Engine
Scam adverts are also very common on search engines are many people fall for them because they believe they are legit when on Google. However, anyone can pay to advertise a false product, whether you find the advert on Google or Bing. It can still be a scam.
If you use Google, you can expect the ads to appear at the top of the search engine. They will have the word “ad” next to the listing. Shopping results may also appear in the listing. Again, if there is a brand there which you have never seen before, you must research … Read More..