India’s festive months bring great deals, but they also attract criminals. This article will explore the secret behind online shopping scams, the warning signs that indicate a store is risky, and the steps you can take to stay safe. If you are searching for how to avoid being scammed online shopping, use these simple checks before you pay.
Why Online Shopping Scams Increase During Festive Sales
Festivals change how people buy. Shoppers feel time pressure, chase doorbuster prices, and try new sellers. Traffic spikes and inboxes fill with offers. Fraudsters capitalise on this trend by cloning legitimate stores, boosting fake reviews, and inserting links that appear official.
Deep discounts on electronics, jewellery and fashion are used as bait for internet shopping scams. The mix of flash sales, prepaid-only deals and limited support helps criminals vanish after payment.
Common Online Shopping Scams You Should Know
Here are the common online shopping scams:
1. Fake E-Commerce Websites
Lookalike stores copy branding and layouts, offer unreal prices, and hide behind vague policies. They collect money and personal data, then vanish. Some claim “warehouse clearance” and use stolen catalogue photos to appear genuine. This is classic fake online shopping.
2. Phishing Messages & OTP Frauds
Texts or emails claim a failed delivery, a refund, or a KYC expiry. Links open pages that steal card or UPI details, then social engineering grabs your OTP. Treat all fake OTP scams as urgent warnings. Never read out an OTP or approve unknown collect requests.
3. Social Media Shopping Scams
Ad pages push flash sales with prepaid-only terms. Profiles show few posts, generic comments and no address. After payment, the items never arrive, or a cheap substitute is provided. Influencer mentions can be bought, so a reel alone is not proof.
4. Fake Apps and Malicious Links
Untrusted APKs and short links spread malware. Rogue apps ask for invasive permissions, intercept SMS, and overlay fake payment screens. Use an antifraud tool to scan links and apps before installation. Stick to official app stores, and avoid downloading shopping apps from QR codes or third-party sites.
5. Fake Giveaways and Surveys
“Festival lucky draw” and “spin the wheel” games harvest your name, number and location. Some demand a small “processing fee” that you never recover. Others enrol you on paid services you did not intend to buy. Treat surprise prizes with caution.
6. Scam Gift Cards
Criminals sell discounted cards that may have already been redeemed or created using stolen points. They also push you to pay with gift cards so banks cannot reverse the charge easily. Refuse unusual payment methods, especially for high-value items.
Signs That an Online Store Could Be a Scam
Here are the signs that an online store could be a scam, as highlighted in the Cybercrime in India – latest threats report:
- Suspicious domain, odd spellings, or unusual extensions.
- Prices are far below market without a clear reason.
- Only prepaid options; return and warranty pages are vague.
- No physical address or working support number.
- Policies are copied and pasted with grammatical errors.
- Reviews look repetitive or were posted in a short burst.
- Checkout lacks a reputable, secure gateway.
- Site forces an app download from outside official stores.
- Social profiles have low activity and no genuine replies.
If several appear together, you may be viewing fraud online shopping pages. Pause and verify.
Tips on How to Protect Yourself While Shopping Online
Here are tips on how to protect yourself while shopping online:
1. Verify Websites and Deals
Type the address yourself or use saved bookmarks. Check HTTPS, clear policies and working support. Compare prices. Search the seller’s name with phrases like “complaints” or “scammed by online store” before trusting a new shop.
2. Use Secure Payment Options
Prefer cash on delivery, cards with OTP, or UPI to your verified handle. Enable alerts and set limits. Avoid direct transfers to unknown accounts. Use virtual cards for one-time orders and do not save card details on new sites.
3. Check For Official Links
Open offers from the brand’s verified site or app store listing. On social media, review long-term activity and real customer threads. Expand shortened links to see the true domain. If unsure, look up how to report online scams in India and confirm portals.
4. Install Trusted Security Software
Use a reputable security suite with phishing protection and safe-payment browsers. Keep real-time protection on and devices updated. Many suites include an antifraud tool that blocks malicious links.
How to Outsmart Fraudsters This Holiday Season?
Act like a reviewer, not just a buyer. Before paying, run three quick checks: source, seller and story. Source means where the link came from. Seller means identity, address and support. Story means whether the discount and delivery promise make sense for the category.
A brand-new flagship at 70% off with instant free delivery is unlikely. Enable two-factor authentication, keep separate emails for banking and shopping, and use strong, unique passwords.
What to Do if You Got Scammed Online
If you typed “I got scammed online shopping” because a deal went wrong, act fast. Cut contact with the seller. Change passwords, revoke app permissions, and de-register unknown devices. Inform your bank or wallet support and raise a dispute. Ask for a temporary hold or reversal if possible. Report the case on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and your local cyber cell.
The earlier you report online shopping scams, the better the chances of recovery. Keep evidence: order pages, transaction IDs, chat logs, emails and courier receipts. Additionally, report online scams on consumer forums to warn others and search through threads for similar cases, fixes, and next steps that have already been shared.
Conclusion: Shop Smart, Stay Protected
Festive season scams can be avoided with a few steady habits. Slow down, check the source, and pay through secure gateways. Update devices, use security software, and walk away from deals that feel wrong. Learn from public advisories such as the Cybercrime in India – Latest Threats Report, and share tips with family groups. With care and patience, you can enjoy sales without becoming part of the statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the most popular online scam?
Phishing is widespread because it scales through bulk messages. Attackers send believable delivery or payment alerts, then collect credentials or OTPs on fake pages. It feeds many online shopping scams and other festival scams.
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Why do phishing scams increase during the holiday season?
There is more browsing, time pressure and promotional noise. People skim messages while travelling and are more likely to click. Criminals copy the day’s themes, which boosts the success of fraud online shopping attempts.
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What type of cyberattack is most common during the holiday shopping season?
Credential harvesting via phishing pages and overlay screens is a common tactic, often paired with social engineering to obtain OTPs. Fake checkout pages and malvertising also feature in festive season scams.
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How can I stay cyber-safe during the holidays?
Use official apps, update devices, enable two-factor authentication, and stick to secure payments. Avoid links in forwards. Keep a reputable suite active with web protection and an antifraud tool. If unsure, verify how to report online scams in India before acting.
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Which antivirus should I use to stay safe from online scams?
Choose a well-reviewed solution with phishing protection, safe payment modes, SMS link scanning and frequent updates. Prefer family plans to cover multiple devices. The exact brand is your decision; ensure it is reputable, updated and correctly configured.
