Shoppers should take care when buying a post-Christmas bargain due to a glut of fake e-shops posing as fashion brands, a security service warns.
Over 4,000 fake e-shops have swamped the internet to exploit customers in the popular discount season after the festive period.
While Christmas is known as ‘fertile ground’ for scammers, the New Year has seen fraudsters set up convincing fashion retailer sites which are also listed high on the list of search engine results.
According to Avast, the con artists have targeted shoppers with popular brands like Guess, Quiksilver, Adidas and Balenciaga.
The fake websites set up for those fashion brands included the URLs:
- quiksilverpoland[.]com
- guessindian[.]com
- adidasyeeyzhrvatska[.]com
- balenciagapraha[.]cz
As well as those brands, the fraudsters have mimicked Canada Goose, Ralph Lauren and Supreme.
The scammers have designed authentic-looking websites that aim to take personal information through a four-step process. They include:
Four stages of fake e-shops
- Fake log-in or purchasing pop-up on entering the website
- A sign-in pop-up appears when you add an item to the shopping cart
- More discounts appear when you proceed to checkout
- Enter credit card or PayPal details screen
As many of these scams appear professional and realistic, there are fewer grammatical errors involved than in some scams, which can make spotting the fake website harder than many phishing emails that may have spelling errors included.
However, one warning sign to take on board is that no pop-up appears requesting to give consent for the website to use cookies as you browse. This must appear on every website for a company to comply with data protection laws.
The digital security service has outlined six tips to consider when shopping online, they are as follows:
Six tips to stay safe while shopping online
- Verify the credibility of websites: Before entering personal information or making a payment, verify the credibility of the website. Check the URL, look for reviews from other customers, and ensure that the site is secured with “https.”
- Use trusted payment methods: Opt for trusted payment methods that provide an additional layer of protection for your financial details. Be cautious if there is only one payment method, especially if it requires entering your card details directly on the e-shop page. Legitimate platforms usually offer a variety of secure payment options.
- Be cautious during sales periods: While discounts are enticing, be cautious during purchases at sale prices. Resist the pressure for a quick buy without thorough consideration and comparison of offers.
- Watch for signals of fraud: Observe warning signs such as spelling errors on websites, unusual email addresses, or suspicious offers. Legitimate e-shops always present themselves with care and professionalism.
- Keep security software updated: Ensure that your computer or mobile device has up-to-date antivirus and antimalware software. This can protect your sensitive information from online threats.
- Share experiences and warnings: Engage with other online shoppers and share your experiences with various e-shops. Warn against suspicious websites and contribute to creating a safe online environment for everyone.
