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Online shopping scams are set to skyrocket after Christmas, and bargain hunters are urged to stay tuned.
Consumers should beware of fake shopping websites that sell high-end products at deeply discounted prices.
Photo: 123RF
Figures from Netsafe show that in January 2019, there was a 16.8 percent increase in online scams compared to the previous month.
The number of scams then decreased in February, when people returned to work.
“Every year when my team returns to work after Christmas, they are inundated with callers about shopping-related scams,” said Netsafe CEO Martin Cocker.
“We are desperate to see if we can minimize the number of people who call us and divert people from these scams.”
He said consumers should beware of fake shopping websites selling high-end products at deeply discounted prices.
Online trading websites like Trade Me weren’t immune either, and scammers targeted them too.
Cocker said consumers can trust Trade Me to take care of them if something goes wrong.
However, he said bargain hunters should check vendors’ backgrounds and history before purchasing a product.
Netsafe online shopping tips
- Look for the padlock – Look for a padlock symbol in the browser window when browsing, logging in, registering, and making payment.
- Check your refund options before you buy – Large companies will often have information about their refund policy on their website. Credit cards often have additional protections; talk to your bank about chargeback options on your card.
- How to pay: Buy online with a credit card or a respected payment service like PayPal. Buying with a credit card gives you better protection than a debit card. If something goes wrong, you can try to get a chargeback through your bank.
