How to avoid online scams

Beware of super discount offers. There may be a catch. Don't open unknown links. And always keep your payment receipts.

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Online shopping
The attractive proposition. The mirage of easy profit. The possibility of closing a good deal quickly. online scams, especially during the pandemic, are increasing sharply, despite the investments everyone is making to increase the level of safety.

HOW TO AVOID ONLINE SCAMS

A very popular area for scammers is that of banks, where often the guard of the consumers It goes down. And so, apparently, a message arrives from your bank inviting you to click a link that leads to a homepage identical to the bank's, but where scammers are hiding. The unwary customer enters their customer code and password, which are then captured by the scammers, who then have free access to the account, and can even drain it.
How do you defend yourself? First of all with a double checkOnce we receive a suspicious and enticing email, we should contact the sender again, even with a simple text message. If the request arrives by phone, it's best to call customer service again. Furthermore, we shouldn't give out your information to anyone, not even the bank. Check the email for typos, which are a clear sign of a fraud attempt. Never click on links in the test, and never open any attachments. When in doubt, it's always best to contact the bank's customer service directly. And if you're convinced you've been scammed, it's best to instruct the bank, via email (preferably certified email), to immediately freeze your account and file a report with law enforcement.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR MONEY WHEN SHOPPING ONLINE

The second area in which the Fraudsters I'm always looking for some chicken to pluck and that's the one from online shopping, including second-hand itemsThey're convenient, increasingly common, useful, and sometimes even reasonably priced. But we must be aware that scams are on the rise and must implement some countermeasures to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Shopping on the web offers a whole series of important advantages, first of all the comfort to be able to choose the product directly from home or from your smartphone. Following this, the possibility of taking advantage of advantageous prices, discounts and promotions. And finally the home delivery of the purchased product, most often without additional costs. A new type of shopping that allows you to save not only money but also time.

ALSO READ: Online shopping: how to save money while treating yourself to a few treats

HOW TO SAVE MONEY WITH ONLINE SHOPPING

Furthermore, prices are often very competitive and guarantee significant savings. Customers who visit virtual storefronts can find hundreds of different brands in a single "store." This makes it possible instantly compare the features and prices of various items, easily identifying the one that best suits your needs and budget.

In this regard, on all e-commerce sites you can select a minimum and maximum spending range Focusing your search only on items that meet your specified specifications, which may include color, material, size, and brand. Furthermore, almost all companies offer free returns, eliminating the hassle of purchasing without being able to test the product. If you're not satisfied with an item, you can return it without losing a cent. Finally, if you monitor these portals regularly, you can take advantage of cyclical offers that allow you to seize real bargains without sacrificing quality.

At the same time, however, it is important pay close attention When shopping online: it can be easy to be fooled by offers of super-discounted products on sale on online stores that, once payment has been received, disappear without a trace.

Always remember to gather some information before proceeding with the purchase on a site you don't know well and where you've never bought anything: even consulting various blogs can provide you with useful information. Also check that the place on which you are making the online payment is protected by the SSL security certificate used to encrypt data exchanged over the network (generally you have to be careful with web addresses that begin with https:// and not https://).

HOW NOT TO BE SCAMMED ON THE INTERNET

The main risk you can run with online shopping is get cloned your cardWhen this happens, you should first call your bank and block it, then immediately file a report with the Postal Police. This type of data theft can occur in two ways: through software (viruses) on the computer you're using, or by making a purchase on an unsecured website. While in the latter case, you should rely on the research we've already recommended, to avoid the former, you should first ensure your computer is clean. Then, to avoid any risks, use only that computer and never enter your data on an unsecured computer.

RELIABLE PAYMENT METHODS

As for online purchases, the ideal is to do them with rechargeable cards, entering only the amount needed to complete the transaction. Avoid, if possible, cards linked to current accounts.

Another reliable payment method is Paypal, which is linked to credit and/or prepaid cards, offering users additional guarantees. PayPal acts as an intermediary between buyer and seller and manages a virtual account. If the buyer doesn't receive their order or experiences any problems, they can request a refund in various cases. Registering with PayPal, moreover, is simple and free. And it's increasingly used online.

Then there is the classic Bank transfer which ensures the traceability of the payment and the Cash on delivery upon delivery of the order. However, this involves a small additional cost.

HOW TO BUY ONLINE SAFELY

Let's take a detailed look at how to shop online safely and avoid scams:

  • To begin with, install a program on your computer. antivirus reliable and make sure your browser is always updated with the latest version.
  • For your online purchases always choose reliable sites already known and be wary of those who offer products at deeply discounted prices.
  • To safeguard your personal data, when you register on the site, always choose difficult usernames and passwords to copy or discover.
  • Before proceeding with the purchase, check the product availability in warehouses of the chosen virtual store.
  • Find out about delivery times and costs associated with the transaction. Be wary of anyone who is in too much of a hurry to complete the transaction.
  • Check that the seller has a location with a real address and that there is a telephone number on the website to contact in case of problems.
  • Read any feedback left by other users, can provide you with valuable information.
  • Evaluate carefully what the legal conditions that protect consumers, and carefully read the information on the right of withdrawal and how to exercise it: by law, consumers have 10 days to exercise their right of withdrawal and obtain a refund.
  • Check the different payment options.
  • Never open suspicious links received via email and which direct you to a possible online store, instead, type in the web address of the site you are looking for yourself.
  • Finally, keep all payment receipts..
  • Beware of free USB sticks, if you don't know who's giving them away. This is a common vehicle used by hackers to spread malware.

HOW TO RECOVER MONEY FROM AN ONLINE SCAM

If you have been scammed online, the first thing to do to hope to recover your money is money The best course of action is to block the account your payment is intended to be debited from and contact the Postal Police. There's no reason to be overly optimistic: thousands of complaints are filed every year, and efforts to recover the money are often unsuccessful. If the amount involved in the scam is significant, you can contact a company specializing in these cases, capable of conducting its own investigations both nationally and internationally. Among these companies, we recommend the Swiss Fraud Recovery, one of the most effective, while the Giambrone firm is very active in Italy. Finally, check whether any of your insurance policies include a reimbursement option in the event of online scams.

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