Recognising Online Fraud Companies

Recognising Online Fraud Companies
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Be Vigilant when Buying Online

Fraud is prevalent on the web, where there are plenty of opportunities for criminals to “forget” to send your goods, claim that they have sent them and keep the money, refuse to even address your concerns and even keep your card details (which were sent unencrypted via their fake website).

These are all prime reasons why internet shopping was slow to catch on, and why everyone must be vigilant when buying online.

Vigilance demands awareness, of course, and if you’re aware of the threats, where they come from and how to identify them, then you should be on the way to being able to spot online fraud companies, the term used to describe the people behind fake websites who are in the business of stealing, not selling.

Spotting an Online Fraud Company

[If you’re planning on buying online](/tools/Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping: Which is Better? Read more: http:/www.brighthub.com/money/personal-finance/articles/43939.aspx#ixzz1BlJ95hmF), use a recognised name wherever possible. In cases where what you’re purchasing isn’t normally available you will need to be able to spot whether the company you have come across in your Google search is genuine.

There are several small things to check before proceeding with your purchase. The first thing to check is the company’s address. If this cannot be found, or doesn’t seem to be genuine, then avoid it. Also look for a telephone number, and again if this cannot be found then do not purchase from this company. Legitimate companies will be registered with your local or national government, although sole traders may not be. You should make efforts to Google the website URL to find out if they are mentioned anywhere by other customers who might have had a bad experience.

Research the Website

Use a website such as www.whois.sc to find the name of the person that registered the URL and their address, if you are having problems. If you run into any obfuscation here, again avoid the company.

You can also use the telephone number to contact the company and ask them a few questions about their delivery policy. This way you can confirm their existence and find out how they deal with customers via the phone; again, if you’re unhappy with anything here, avoid them.

Also if you have a keen eye, a poorly designed, odd or seemingly incomplete website will be a clear indication of a business that is either not interested in public image or who rushed out a website – both good reasons not to trade online with this business.

Spotting a Secure URL

You’re probably very familiar with buying online from Amazon. This website provides a vast marketplace for both its own stock, that of its subsidiaries and also a means for private sellers to make money.

Avoid scams on the Internet - check for secure URLs

You should notice when making a purchase on Amazon that when you go through the checkout procedure your details are transmitted across a secure connection. This is indicated in the browser address bar by changing the address from:

**https://**www.amazon.com

to

**https://**www.amazon.com.

Modern browsers will also highlight the fact that you are viewing the website over a secure connection, which should prevent your credit card details from being read by anyone.

Stick to Secure Sites

Of course, credit card information isn’t the only thing that online fraud companies are looking for. They basically want your money, so when shopping online, make sure you follow these general rules:

  • Before signing up to an online shopping website, check the privacy policy concerning use of your personal data
  • Keep your online shopping password secure
  • Before making a purchase, check the returns policy
  • Print a copy of your order (use the PRINT SCREEN button on your keyboard or File > Print in your browser) and any email confirmations you receive
  • Check your bank statement to confirm that the correct amounts have been taken.

Ultimately, unless you are looking for very specific, specialist products, you should stick to the “big names” in online shopping, or the online versions of popular “high street” stores.

No established business wants to be tarnished with the black cross of online fraud, and in the case of Amazon and eBay, where private sellers can use popular websites to sell their wares, problems with fraud can be dealt with by their internal systems, and in the case of eBay, with the additional help of PayPal.

Wherever you plan on buying online, sticking to recognised names, checking the reputation of the store you’re buying from and confirming that you’re using a secure connection to send your credit card details will prevent you from being caught out by online fraud companies.