Diwali Online Shopping Scams: 10 Red Flags to Watch Out For

Table of Contents

• What are the 10 red flags of online shopping scams?
• How can you shop safely online this Diwali?
• How can Quick Heal help you stay safer online?
• Shop Smart This Diwali
• FAQs

How often does the thrill of a festive discount hide the subtle warning signs of digital fraud? Diwali shopping moves fast, making it remarkably easy to click first and verify later. Between comparing smartphone prices, snagging limited-time discounts, and chasing fast deliveries, buyers act on urgency, a vulnerability scammers readily exploit. 

According to data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), financial fraud and online shopping scams surge by over 20–25% during peak festive periods, with over 24 lakh financial cybercrime complaints registered in 2025 alone. With millions of shoppers rushing to grab limited-time deals, fraudsters exploit high-pressure shopping windows through fake shopfronts, phishing links, and deceptive payment gateways.

From fake shopping websites to fraudulent payment links, high-pressure festive deals can easily disguise attempts to steal money or private data. Recognising how Diwali shopping scams operate, spotting the warning signs, and knowing why online shopping scams spike during Diwali can help protect hard-earned money and sensitive information during the holiday rush.

What Are the 10 Red Flags of Online Shopping Scams?

Before you enter payment details or confirm an order, look for these warning signs.

1. Is the Discount Too Good to Be True?

A new smartphone at a fraction of its usual price or branded jewellery offered at an implausibly steep discount should raise questions. Fraudsters use unusually low prices to encourage impulse purchases before buyers investigate the seller.

Compare the offer with prices on the brand’s official website and established marketplaces. A discount alone does not prove fraud, but an unbelievable price combined with an unfamiliar seller is a reason to pause.

2. Does the Website URL Look Slightly Different?

Scammers often create lookalike domains with extra words, misspellings, hyphens or characters that resemble the original brand name. A page may look authentic while its web address leads somewhere else.

Check the complete domain before logging in or paying. Avoid relying on a logo, padlock icon or HTTPS alone as proof that a store is genuine.

3. Is the Seller Pressuring You to Pay Immediately?

Messages such as “Only two minutes left” or “Your deal will disappear now” are designed to stop you from thinking critically. Fake countdowns and repeated low-stock alerts can push shoppers into rushed decisions.

Legitimate sales can have deadlines, but pressure should never replace verification. If you cannot check the offer properly, walk away.

4. Are the Reviews Suspiciously Similar?

Reviews that repeat the same phrases, appear in large numbers over a short period or offer vague praise may be fabricated. A seller with hundreds of glowing ratings is not automatically trustworthy.

Read a mix of positive and negative reviews. Look for specific details, credible purchase experiences and independent feedback beyond the seller’s own website.

5. Are Contact Details and Return Policies Missing?

A trustworthy store should provide clear information about customer support, shipping, returns, refunds and warranties where applicable.

Be cautious if the website lists no verifiable business details, provides a non-working phone number or uses vague, copied policy text. These gaps can make it difficult to resolve problems after payment.

6. Does the Seller Ask You to Pay Outside the Platform?

A seller may offer an additional discount if you transfer money directly to a personal UPI ID, bank account or payment link. This can take you outside the marketplace’s buyer-protection process.

Keep payments within the official platform wherever possible. Check the recipient and amount carefully, and never approve an unexpected UPI collect request just to receive a discount.

7. Does a Message Ask for Your OTP or Banking Credentials?

A fake delivery notification, refund alert or account-security warning may direct you to a page asking for your card details, password, PIN or one-time password.

These are common online shopping fraud tactics. Never disclose an OTP, UPI PIN or banking password to someone claiming to help with an order or refund. Use the retailer’s official app or website to check the issue instead.

8. Is a Social Media Deal Redirecting You to an Unknown Store?

Sponsored posts, influencer-style videos and WhatsApp forwards can promote counterfeit goods or stores that disappear after collecting payments. Even a professional-looking advertisement does not establish that the seller is genuine.

Visit the retailer’s verified profile and follow its official website link. Be particularly cautious of newly created accounts, disabled comments and sellers who accept payment but provide little information about delivery.

9. Are You Asked to Install an Unfamiliar Shopping App?

A QR code or shortened link may direct you to an app download outside an official app store. The app might imitate a retailer while requesting permissions unrelated to shopping.

Download apps from trusted sources and review the developer name and requested permissions. Avoid installing files sent by unknown sellers, particularly Android APKs shared through messaging apps.

10. Does a Refund or Delivery Message Ask You to Verify Your Account?

Fraudsters frequently impersonate delivery companies and retailers with claims that a parcel is stuck, an address is incomplete or a refund has failed. Their links may lead to fake login pages or payment forms.

Check delivery status through the order history in the official shopping app. Do not use an unexpected link to update payment details, pay a small redelivery fee or claim a refund.

How Can You Shop Safely Online This Diwali?

Use this checklist before completing a festive purchase.

• Verify the seller: Start with the official retailer or a recognised marketplace.
• Check the URL: Look for misspellings and unfamiliar domains.
• Compare prices: Investigate deals that are far below the usual selling price.
• Review policies: Read delivery, refund and return terms before paying.
• Use secure payments: Avoid direct transfers to unknown sellers and inspect every payment request.
• Protect your credentials: Never share your OTP, PIN or password with anyone.
• Avoid suspicious links: Open order updates through the retailer’s official app or website.
• Update your devices: Install operating system, browser and security updates.
• Use security software: Choose trusted protection with real-time threat detection and phishing protection.
• Keep records: Save order confirmations, receipts and transaction details in case you need to raise a complaint.

Following these steps can make safe online shopping easier without requiring you to skip festive deals altogether.

How Can Quick Heal Help You Stay Safer Online?

Careful browsing is essential, but security tools can add another layer of protection. Quick Heal’s consumer security solutions offer features designed to help detect malware, flag suspicious websites and protect devices against online shopping fraud, depending on the product and plan.

Features such as web protection and phishing protection can help identify dangerous links before you interact with them. For additional mobile protection, Quick Heal also offers AntiFraud. AI to help detect fraudulent apps, suspicious links, and scam attempts on smartphone devices.

Security software works best alongside sensible shopping habits. It cannot guarantee that every fraudulent seller, fake review or scam message will be detected. Verify unfamiliar stores, avoid sharing sensitive information and review payment requests carefully.

Shop Smart This Diwali

A festive offer should bring you a better deal, not an unexpected financial loss. Take a moment to verify the seller, inspect the link and question discounts that seem implausible. Those few seconds can make a meaningful difference.

The safest approach to online shopping scams is a combination of informed decisions, secure payment habits, updated devices and trusted security software. Enjoy the festive sales, but let verification come before the excitement of checkout.

Explore Quick Heal’s home-user security solutions to find protection that fits your devices and needs.

FAQs

What Are the Most Common Diwali Shopping Scams?

Common Diwali shopping scams include fake shopping websites, counterfeit product listings, phishing messages, fraudulent delivery notifications, fake refund requests and social media promotions that collect payments without delivering goods.

How Can I Check Whether an Online Shopping Website Is Genuine?

Check the full URL, seller information, contact details, return policy and independent reviews. Compare the website with the retailer’s verified domain, and avoid paying if the seller’s identity or payment process cannot be verified.

Is It Safe to Shop Through Links on WhatsApp or Social Media?

Not every shared link is malicious, but unexpected links can lead to fake stores or phishing pages. Instead of clicking directly, visit the retailer’s official website or verified app and search for the offer there.

What Should I Do If I Have Paid a Scam Website?

Contact your bank or payment provider immediately to report the transaction and ask about blocking or disputing it. Save screenshots, messages and transaction details. In India, report suspected financial cyber fraud through 1930 and the official National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

Can Antivirus Software Prevent Online Shopping Scams?

Antivirus software can help detect malware, block known malicious websites and warn users about certain phishing threats. However, it cannot guarantee protection against every scam. Verify sellers, use secure payment methods and never share your OTP or UPI PIN.