Online shopping has increased significantly in recent years, boosted by the convenience of shopping from home and the perceived savings compared to brick-and-mortar stores. However, the popularity of online trading is also accompanied by a less encouraging development: the increase in fake shops. These fraudulent online platforms lure you with unbeatably cheap offers for high-quality products from technology to fashion, but leave only one thing behind: empty promises and empty bank statements.
The principle of fake shops
Fake shops are fraudulent websites that give the appearance of a legitimate online shop. They advertise attractive prices for sought-after goods, from smartphones to designer fashion to bicycles. The scam is always similar: after payment, often by advance payment or credit card, the goods are not received. Communication with the provider breaks down and the buyers are left not only without the goods they ordered, but also without their money.
Identifying features of fake shops
The first warning sign is prices that are too good to be true. If products are offered far below the usual market price, caution is advised. Another indication of a fake shop is a missing or incomplete imprint. A reputable online shop must always provide transparent information about the provider. Another warning sign is incorrect or missing commercial registration numbers. In addition, fraudulent shops often use fake quality seals that, upon closer inspection, have not been checked by the relevant institutions.
Protective measures and tips
Consumers should inform themselves thoroughly before purchasing from an unknown online shop. A look at the legal notice, checking the commercial register number and validating quality seals are simple steps to assess the seriousness of a provider. In addition, when making online purchases, it is advisable to critically examine payment methods such as advance payment or using the Paypal “send money to a friend” function, as buyer protection does not apply here.
Technical tips for checking websites
In order to better assess the security and credibility of online shops, there are some technical methods and tools that are also accessible to less tech-savvy users. An important step is checking a website's SSL certificates. You can recognize a valid SSL certificate by a lock symbol in the address bar of your browser and the prefix “https” in the URL. This signals that the data transmission is encrypted and therefore more secure. Tools like Qualys' SSL Labs can provide you with a detailed assessment of the security of an SSL certificate.
Checking the domain history can also be helpful. Websites such as “Whois” provide information about the owner of a domain and the duration of registration. A frequent change of domain owner or a very young domain can indicate a dubious provider. In addition, services such as “Google Safe Browsing” can be used to check a website for known security issues. Simply enter the URL of the page in question in the search box to see if Google has identified any security risks. These steps provide an initial orientation to assess the security and seriousness of online shops before entering personal data or making payments.
Information about legal action
In addition to filing a criminal complaint with the police, there are other legal steps that those affected by fraud by fake shops can take. An important point of contact are the consumer protection centers, which provide individual advice on how to take action against fraudulent online retailers. They also help you understand and enforce your own consumer rights.
In addition, the European Commission offers a platform for online dispute resolution. This platform serves as a contact point for consumers and retailers who want to settle disputes arising from online purchase or service contracts out of court. It makes it possible to submit complaints and find a suitable, independent arbitration board to resolve the conflict. Using these options can not only help minimize potential financial losses, but also actively combat the practice of fake shops and protect other consumers from similar scams.
Prevention and education
Prevention and education play a crucial role in protecting yourself in the long term against cases of fraud such as fake shops. Learning basic skills in using the Internet and online shopping safely is essential in order to identify and avoid potential risks. Educational offerings, both online and in the form of workshops or seminars , can impart valuable knowledge. This includes topics such as checking the authenticity of online shops, understanding secure payment methods and awareness of data protection.
Initiatives and organizations in the field of consumer protection often offer such information materials and courses. Schools and educational institutions could also play an important role in teaching these skills by establishing media literacy as an integral part of the curriculum. By strengthening the digital skills of all Internet users, more critical and informed behavior in online trading can be promoted, which ultimately helps to minimize the effectiveness of fraud attempts by fake shops.
Questions and answers about fake shops
Question 1: What are fake shops?
Answer 1: Fake shops are fraudulent online platforms that lure you with cheap offers but do not deliver any goods after payment.
Question 2: How do you recognize fake shops?
Answer 2: Warning signals include prices that are too low, a missing or incomplete imprint and fake quality seals.
Question 3: What to do if you have become a victim of a fake shop?
Answer 3: Contact your financial institution and try to reverse the payment. Also, file a police report.
Question 4: Why is it important to check the legal notice?
Answer 4: The legal notice provides information about the provider. If this information is missing, caution is advised.
Question 5: Can quality seals also be counterfeit?
Answer 5: Yes, fraudulent shops often use fake quality seals that are not valid upon closer inspection.
Conclusion
The increasing spread of fake shops on the Internet requires a high degree of caution and attention from consumers. Buyers can protect themselves by questioning offers that are too cheap, checking the information in the shop and using secure payment methods. It is important not to be blinded by supposed bargains and, if in doubt, to avoid buying.
Source: Hamburg Consumer Center
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )