Fake shops: LKA and consumer center warn


Online retail has had one record year after the next, and not just since Corona. This pleases reputable providers such as the shipping giant Amazon, but also black sheep who cheat unsuspecting “customers” out of their money with fake online shops. The State Criminal Police Office of Rhineland-Palatinate is now warning of a current wave of fraud. In a joint statement with the country’s consumer center, the officials also provide information and tips that protect against fake shops.

Beware of supposed bargains

In the joint press release, police officers and consumer advocates warn against online offers that are too cheap. Because when consumers are looking for bargains or products that are out of stock elsewhere, they repeatedly end up on fake sites such as the website Fahrrad-handels.de, which until recently offered wire donkeys and coveted e-bikes at particularly favorable conditions – but probably didn’t deliver. Fake shops like this “are difficult to recognize at first glance” because they are designed more and more professionally and, for example, offer terms and conditions or support options in addition to an imprint. However, anyone who checked this in the example “could quickly find out that something was wrong with this shop,” according to the authors.

How to recognize fake shops

If you fall for a fake shop, there is not only the threat of financial damage because the goods are not available. The criminals behind the fake sites also often target personal information, which is used for further crimes. So that the online purchase does not turn into a nightmare, the consumer advice center and LKA summarize the most important checkpoints with which you can unmask dubious providers:

  • Domain: First check the address line. If the domain (in the example of this website “computerbild.de”) does not thematically match the offers on the website, skepticism is indicated. A lock icon should also appear to the left of the domain. Otherwise the site is not secure.
  • Payment in advance: Fake shops often advertise with the usual payment methods, but suddenly only offer prepayment for the last step of the purchase. This is the riskiest payment method: you should never transfer money.
  • Imprint: Check whether an imprint is available at all, otherwise the offer is not serious. But you should not blindly trust shops with an imprint either. For example, a search engine can be used to quickly find out whether the company in question is actually located at the specified address.
  • Customer reviews: The information provided by supposed customers is often very seductive, but could come from criminal shop operators themselves. Don’t let that affect you. It is better to use a search engine like Google to search for the name of the provider and terms such as “experiences” or “reviews”.
  • Seal of approval: These official-looking logos also suggest seriousness. However, they could also be fake or stolen – especially if they are not linked. If the seals lead to a certificate from the issuer, they are probably genuine.



Source link -62