The time for big promotions and sales has arrived. But along with this, the activity of fraudsters is increasing — they exploit the urgency of shoppers and the desire to find good deals. Although experts tirelessly warn about the risks, a survey shows that one in five residents of Latvia still shops online without any caution, reports TV3 News.
The temptation of online discounts is becoming stronger — "Black Friday," "Cyber Monday," and Christmas offers have long been not only a paradise for shoppers but also a harvest time for fraudsters. And although experts warn about the risks, some people still shop online thoughtlessly.
At the end of the year, fraudsters become particularly active — their methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated. People are deceived using enticing offers and artificially created urgency. Some only realize the risks when they have already fallen for the trick.
"It was a couple of years ago, I ordered chocolate from Dubai, it seemed suspicious that they even deliver from there, but the bank surprised me — they were very accommodating. I just informed them, and they offered to refund the payment themselves. These fraudsters are getting smarter. Some emails come — I no longer respond to those. But I think I will still have to face fake websites," says victim Aiya.
Currently, fake websites are one of the most common forms of fraud. Cheaper products, urgent conditions like "only today," and professionally designed websites — just a few seconds of inattention is enough. And fraudsters no longer act aggressively; on the contrary — they become overly friendly, the interviewed individuals noted.
"They are very friendly — you don’t know them, but they are so welcoming, wanting something from you, and it gives the feeling that something is not right," says Andrzej.
Walter adds: "Usually, it’s messages like 'your package has been misdelivered, we need to change the address,' and sometimes there are calls from some places in Hungary. But I am relatively calm because I understand what is happening and what is not — I filter it more or less."
However, not everyone can distinguish a genuine offer from a fake one. According to a survey, one in five, or 20% of people, do not plan to pay attention to the safety of their purchases at all. This means that one in five is willing to risk their data and money.
To protect their funds, experts recommend opening a separate bank account for online purchases — with a small amount. This helps limit losses in case of encountering fraudsters.
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