Christmas means pure stress for many users. Online shopping is a convenient solution. But online shopping also carries some risks.

As our cooperation partner Watchlist Internet reports, it's about time to get Christmas presents - online shopping is just the right time. Especially if you order them online and you want the package to be under the Christmas tree on time.

The advantage of shopping online is obvious: sometimes cheaper prices, no queues at the checkouts and you save time. But not every online shop is reputable; many scammers also lure you with attractive offers!

When looking for cheap offers, you often come across fake shops.
When looking for cheap offers, you often come across fake shops.

Distinguish fake shops from legitimate online shops

You usually can't recognize a fake shop at first glance. However, it is not impossible to distinguish a legitimate online shop from a fraudulent one. Ask yourself four questions, especially when it comes to unknown online shops:

  • Is the price cheaper than other online shops?
  • Can payment only be made in advance?
  • Are there already negative reviews?

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If you answer yes to two of these questions, you should reconsider placing an order!

Better prices than the competition

There are these offers where you feel like you have to take them immediately. This is exactly where caution is required! Fake shops can be recognized primarily by their low prices. They usually outbid the competition by several hundred euros. However, if you order from fake shops such as starshopping24.store, mabuseller.shop or jokeldeals24.com, you will not receive any goods despite paying.

Our recommendation: compare prices. geizhals.at , idealo.at or preisvergleich.at will help you find out the going rate.

Payment in advance only

A key fake shop feature is the way you can pay. In fake shops you can only pay in advance. However, in order to appear trustworthy, criminals state in their payment conditions that payment can supposedly be made using different payment methods. However, if in the end payment is only possible in advance, it is a fake shop!

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Our recommendation: Stay away, such contradictions are dubious. It is also dubious if a certain payment method is offered but then does not work for technical reasons. Criminals only want you to pay in advance!

Internet search

What you should always do when you order from an online shop you don't know: search for the shop online! Search for the name of the shop and fake (e.g. gaming-grizzly.de fake) and briefly go through the posts. If you find warnings, you should not order there.

Our recommendation: If you don't find any relevant posts, it's most likely a dubious shop!

Advice & help:

For specific advice requests, please contact the relevant offices that we have listed for you Advice & Help www.watchlist-internet.at/beratung-hilfe

You might also be interested in: Safe online shopping – even during the Christmas season

Source: Watchlist Internet
Article image: William Potter / Shutterstock


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