There it is – the supposed offer of the century. An iPhone 13 Pro so shiny and new, at a fraction of the actual price. But the pleasant online bargain can quickly turn into a bitter disappointment. How can you protect yourself from the pitfalls of digital marketplaces?

The top deal: Too good to be true?

Eva from Berlin thought she had got the ultimate bargain. The iPhone 13 Pro, which she had had her eye on for a long time, was available on eBay classifieds at an unbeatable price. She enthusiastically transferred the money. But then: radio silence. The cell phone stopped working and contact with the seller was lost. Eve is not alone. Stories like this are increasing.

The scammers' tricks often work the same way. Online portals are a playground for fraudsters. Some offer counterfeit products, others send damaged goods or, as in Eva's case, nothing at all. Sometimes you are misled by supposed emails from PayPal and other service providers.

Safety first: this is how you protect yourself

There are simple measures that each of us can take to avoid falling for online fraudsters:

  1. Compare, compare, compare! If an offer seems unusually cheap, you should be skeptical. A quick price comparison with other providers can provide clarity.
  2. Choose payment methods carefully. Prefer services like PayPal that offer buyer protection. And no, “PayPal friends” is not one of them!
  3. Don't panic. If the seller threatens legal action or tries to put pressure on you: take a deep breath and don't act hastily.
  4. Keep an eye out for emails. Fraudsters can create a deceptively realistic copy of emails. A closer look at the sender and content can help.

If it does happen: the way out of the trap is important! Nobody is immune from mistakes. If, despite all your caution, you have fallen for a scammer, the most important thing is to act! Report it to the police and inform the sales portal. Together we can take action against the fraudster.

Conclusion

The digital shopping world is tempting and offers fantastic opportunities. But as the opportunities grow, so do the risks. However, a watchful eye, common sense and a little caution can save us from many disappointments. So before you grab the next “bargain”, take a moment, take a deep breath and check the offer. Your wallet will thank you!

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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 )