5 Tips to Avoid Online Shop Scammers

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Online shopping has become a trend in this digital era. Alas, online shopping is at risk of scammers which could cause financial damage to its customers.

To protect yourself from fraudulent online shops, it is necessary to understand the characteristics of scammers. Below are five characteristics of online shop scammers:

1. Amateur design

While reading messages, read closely to assess whether the content is fraudulent. You can also pay attention to the design and feeds of online shops' social media. IT Expert from Surabaya's Muhammadiyah University Taufiqur Rohman mentioned that the Instagram feeds of scammers have an amateur feel to them. 

"For example, low-resolution photos. Legitimate online shops will manage their business seriously and will provide the best social media feeds," he said as quoted from um-surabaya.ac.id

2. Questionable profiles on social media

Scamming accounts usually have less active social media accounts. Additionally scamming accounts also often appear suddenly with no previous activities but have fantastic offers. 

Several characteristics of fraudulent online shops are:

-No STAR logo 

-No positive reviews

-Asking to chat personally

-Asking for a downpayment before the goods are sent or asking for full payment after showing a fake receipt

3. Searching for database

Citing Antara, scammers usually hold surveys or forms, claiming administrative purposes to claim gifts. Victims were then asked to read fake reviews or testimonies from non-existent winners. 

A number of scams also indicated the presence of bots, disguising themselves as lawyers or consultants to sway potential victims. Kaspersky, an antivirus software company, recommends internet users to stay vigilant of forms or surveys asking for irrelevant data.

4. Brief window of time for transactions

Scammers will exploit their victim's emotional state by providing a brief window of time to complete the transaction. For example, scammers would only give a few minutes for their victims to claim fake gifts.

5. Closed reply section

Another characteristic of online shop scams is the closed reply section to avoid negative reviews from previous victims.

TEGUH ARIF ROMADHON

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