INTERNET CRIME - ONLINE SHOPPING

Ecommerce: tips to avoid being a victim 

of fraud

E-commerce is getting larger and bigger nowadays. Trade trillions of dollars are made every year worldwide 

via the internet. The magnitude of financial transactions could only attract the various criminals, be interested and 

active in this field as well.   

For this reason, Internet users and those using this form of commerce should always be careful to avoid squabbling 

and avoid falling victim to fraud.

Online shoppingThe term "online shopping" refers to purchases made on-line, either via a computer or via a mobile
 phone or tablet.

These purchases can be made with or without the full control of the vendor or buyer's identity.

Payment for these purchases is usually done through credit cards. This form of payment is considered as a secure 

payment method, as long as we just need to be as careful as our other markets.

Prior to ordering onlineBefore proceeding with any online order, you should be aware of the risks and also the safest 
way to do so. 

Read carefully the terms and conditions, the seller or the site where you place your order. Even small letters!

Check that the seller's address is available on the website. Print and save these items. You may want to return 

something from what you buy.

If the seller's address is not on the website, be especially careful. It is good to note the e-mail address of the store.

Do not forget to read what the merchant says about the cost of delivering the goods, the currency they accept, and 

the tax that you will be asked to pay.

When buying the product  Print and save the product description as well as the terms and conditions of the merchant.

Accept the purchase by entering your card number and expiration date and following the merchant's instructions. 

If your online store uses full buyer identity authentication, you will automatically be taken to your bank's website for

identification.

Store electronically and print the proof of payment to be issued by the merchant. 

Keep what you printed for future review or comparison.

Many online stores send email confirmation of their transaction. Keep this message as well.

Wrong charge; The most common mistakes in online shopping are the delivery of wrong products or services, the 
delivery of damaged or defective products and the non-delivery of products.

If you have any of the above problems, contact the merchant where you purchased the products. It is preferable to 

do so by email so that you can keep in touch with them.

If the problem is not resolved after contacting the merchant, please contact your bank. The bank can give you further 

advice and instructions on how to proceed. For example, if you have to file a complaint with the Police.

Remember Youkeep all the papers about our purchase

In the event of a problem with the product, contact the dealer first to resolve it. If you need to contact your bank, 

tell them your contact with the merchant

If you need to return damaged or defective products, always do so with approved mail. Keep the receipt with the 

tracking number. You may need it afterwards.

Have you been a victim of online fraud? What to doIf you realize that you have been a victim of fraud, you must 
immediately report the case to the Police. He also filed the case with your bank if you paid by credit or debit card. 
Perhaps you have the right to return your money.

Gold rules for secure online purchases
1. Never send your card number, PIN code, or any other information on your card via e-mail. Know that only 

criminals will ask for you to do so. 

If you have sent such information to anyone, cancel your card and communicate directly with your bank.

2.  If you do not buy something, do not submit your card details. There are, for example, online games and 

false draws, the only purpose of which is to steal your card details.

3.  Many ecommerce websites will ask you to submit your payment information. Think twice before you 

decide and make sure you understand the dangers that may be going on. For example, the site is a hacker. 

He noted that the best-known brands have a strong customer security policy.

4.  Make your purchases from trusted sources. Prefer chips and online stores that you always know and 

review the reviews of other customers. For your online shopping, use the 3D Secure Security Protocol - Card, 

Password, and Security Key Identification. Ask your bank or your card provider for details. 

5. You prefer to make purchases from pages that use full authentication.

6.  If the site does not support full authentication, make sure your information is secure. Check if the lock key 

icon is at the bottom of the page and the webpage's URL starts with https: // and not with http: //.

7.  Do not send money to someone you do not know. If someone gets you online and asks you for money, think 

about giving this money to an unknown person who will ask you this on the road.

8.  When buying something over the Internet, from another person, do not pre-pay any amount to the seller. If 

possible, you prefer to pay after you receive the products you purchased.

9.  Use credit cards for your online purchases. Most cards have a secure customer policy. If you do not receive 

what you ordered, the card provider can compensate you.

10.  Before submitting your card details for ongoing online payments (such as protecting your computer against 

viruses), learn how to stop this service and continue to pay for it.

11.  Always store the documents on your online marketplace. You may need them in the future to prove that you

 have paid for the purchase.

12.  Some online stores, especially outside Europe, may ask you to send them by fax, copy of your card and 

passport to make sure the order is made by the cardholder. Never send your card details from an email without 

encryption. If you do not do this, it is likely that they will not hand over your order.

Some extra tips
1. Always know your finances. When you see your bank account, you should be able to recognize every 

purchase you have made.

It is likely that a merchant will appear with a different name on the bank transaction than is shown in the online store.

You report any suspicious activity in your account.

2.  Be very careful in cases of big bids coming near you via email or via online advertising. If it sounds too good to 

be true, then it probably is not.

3.  Be cautious with unwanted emails. Do not open attachments or open links they may contain, even if they appear 

to come from a trusted trader, as they may be part of a phishing scam.

Application security tips
Always read the terms and conditions of the apps before downloading them and installing them on your device. 

Be even more cautious when asked to submit your credit card details.

Prepaid cards are used to subscribe to applications that require continuous payments.

Before giving your child your mobile phone or tablet, make sure that purchases within games or apps via your card 

are impossible without the PIN, which only you know.

General Internet Security Tips
Protect your computer, phone or tablet with strong passwords and security programs such as antivirus and anti-spyware.

Download files and programs only from trusted sources. If a window pops up on your computer screen, suggesting 

you download something, do not press ok unless you understand what it is.

Use VPN services when using public or open Wi-Fi. VPN (Virtual Private Network) services create a coded channel 

for your data so that someone can not steal your identity card or credit card information or read your emails.

HTTPS and SSL protocols are used when surfing the web. Look for the keymark on the e-mail address of the pages, 

especially when making online purchases. Reliable online stores typically use security protocols.