Get savvy to online shopping scams

Consumers in Luxembourg are being given a helping hand to spot the latest online shopping scams thanks to internet security organisation BEE SECURE.

As part of its "Clever Klicken" campaign, the body has issued guidelines to help consumers old and young navigate the world of online shopping and ensure they don't fall prey to scams.

Among the online frauds they warn about are false shops, selling products they don't have. They attract customers by advertising goods, for example fashion brands, at impossibly low prices. If you suspect an online store to be fake, don't pay in advance, the body warns. Use PayPal. Be wary of prices which look too good to be true and if you are not sure, do a quick internet search for the shop name to see if it is mentioned by other customers in online forums.

Online car purchases

Another common scam related to vehicle sellers who claim they work with a logistics firm that sells and delivers cars. Once you pay a fee, they deliver. “You will never see the vehicle and you will never be paid back”, the guidelines state.

Hidden costs

Some online stores may well have the products they claim to sell. However, the cost of delivery may not always be clear. When looking for the best deal, always remember to consider delivery costs. While these may not be scams, and delivery includes customs and taxes, for example, it is something shoppers should bear in mind.

Tips for spotting a scam:

Check the reliability of the online store;

beware of prices that look too good to be true;

if the vendor asks for a cash transfer, by Western Union or Moneygram, for example, you can be sure it's a scam;

terms and conditions should be transparent and understandable;

compare the added costs as well as the price;

use secure payment methods such as Paypal;

only do bank transfers via secure connections;

if you fall prey to an online store scam, notify the police to find out if you can get your money back.

www.bee-secure.lu

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