Brits are no stranger to an online shopping scam with a new survey revealing that 22% of them have been victims at some point.
Credit card provider Capital One UK has put together some tips for safe shopping online ahead of Black Friday 2024 with shoppers keen to pick up some bargains as the Christmas period draws in.
Black Friday falls on November 29, with Cyber Monday immediately following on December 2.
Here are Capital One UK’s essential tips to protect yourself online:
Double-check promotional communications
The National Cyber Security Centre describes ‘phishing’ as a technique used by criminals to deceive their victims through scam emails, text messages or phone calls.
The objective is typically to lure you into visiting a website that may download a virus onto your computer or steal bank details or other personal information.
During the Black Friday period, phishing methods in the form of emails can intensify as promotional communications increase. Fraudulent emails (and even fraudulent texts) will usually contain subtle errors.
Therefore, look out for spelling and grammar mistakes, low-quality images, and suspicious links. Before clicking, hover over links to verify their destination. If they do not match the retailer or outlet, refrain from clicking.
Use secure payment methods and connections
When making online payments, you should utilise payment methods that offer extra protections such as credit cards.
Purchases made between £100 to £30,000 might be covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. This means that if anything goes wrong with your order, your credit card provider may be jointly liable to reimburse you .
It’s also wise to avoid accessing sensitive accounts or making transactions over public Wi-Fi networks as they can be easily intercepted.
If using a public network is your only option, a Virtual Private Network (VPN will encrypt your connection and can further help protect your data from unauthorised access.
Distrust unbelievable offers
Capital One UK warns that deals that seem too good to be true often are.
To avoid being scammed, take your time and do some research – enter the retailer’s website directly instead of clicking through email links. Then, compare the advertised discounts with those from other retailers to check they are realistic.
If a deal is significantly cheaper than competitors, it’s most likely fraudulent.
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Check websites are legitimate
Falling for fake websites and online shopping is not uncommon with Capital One UK’s research showing that 22% of Brits have reported being scammed.
When making online payments, it’s essential to check that the site you’re using is legitimate.
Spelling errors, poor grammar, and low-quality images can all be signs of a fraudulent site. If you’re unsure, reviews on trusted sites and forums can provide a good indication of a site’s legitimacy.
Another useful tip is to check the website’s URL; secure sites will start with https://, not just http://. The ‘s’ signifies that the site is secure.
You should also see a small padlock symbol in your browser confirming the site’s security.
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