60% off or 100% scam? Here's how to scam-proof your online shopping

Festive sales are here; new phones, fancy dresses, premium headphones, and those 60% OFF offers look impossible to resist. But before you rush to check out and get all those deals, take a pause. Scammers could be tricking you in the name of those fancy deals and great bargains. Here are some common online scams that can hit you while shopping this festive season, along with some tips to protect you.

Fake discounts and listings

Those shiny and screaming banners announcing a Flat 70% OFF seem super tempting for sure, but are those deals even real? If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
One buyer recently paid nearly a lakh for an iPhone 256 GB but instead got a 128 GB variant. Imagine spending a fortune and yet not getting what you ordered.

Pro-Tip

• Before hitting that buy button online, always compare the deals with prices on official websites and brands.
• Keep a price tracker app or extension handy. This way, you can check if the price drop is real or just another marketing gimmick.
• Don’t forget to check the product specifications and descriptions before buying. When it comes to electronic products, pay special attention to storage, size, material etc. to ensure you are getting what is being advertised.
• Before ordering anything, always check seller ratings and reviews.

Record your unboxing on video. It sounds extra, but it’s solid proof if you need to file a complaint.

Fake websites and apps

Scammers love a good sale as much as you do because the festive sale time is a great way for them to dupe innocent customers. One of the ways they do it is by creating a fake website. Instead of flipkart.com, they’ll create flipkart-salee.com or a fake app that looks identical.

Pro-Tip

• Visit the sites using the official URLs only and not through random links from SMS or WhatsApp.
• Always check that the website is secured and look for HTTPS in the URL.
• Use of verified apps from Google Play or Apple’s App Store.

Fake deliveries and OTP traps

This is one of the wildest scams. You get a parcel you never ordered. The delivery agent insists on sharing the OTP or scanning a QR code to receive it. Seems the usual play, but scammers can hack into your bank account using this trick.
Another sneaky trick is with cash-on-delivery orders. You pay for a sealed package, and when you open it, a brick, a shampoo packet, or useless plastic inside!

Pro-Tip

• Refuse the package if you didn’t order it.
• Beware of sharing any OTP or scanning any QR code unless you verify the delivery source.
• For the cash on delivery mode, check with the official seller or website for any cancellations or delivery before making payment.

Web of dark patterns

Some scams are so tricky, you might not catch them till you’ve been trapped. For example, you add one item to your cart and magically, something extra is added. Or you see a product at a certain price and by checkout the price has been bumped up with several additional charges. These are the dark patterns online platforms use to trick you into paying more.

Pro-Tip

• Check your cart carefully and review the final bill and the breakdown for any additional charges.
• If there are any unwanted add-ons like insurance, donations, or subscriptions, don’t forget to opt-out.

Festive shopping should be about joy, not regret. So, enjoy the real deals and don’t fall for any trap.