Online festive sales: 7 simple ways to protect yourself from discount scams

The excitement among people during the festive season comes from a mix of cultural traditions, special sales, and social influences. Retailers attract customers with discounts and limited-time products, creating a sense of urgency. Social media also plays a big role, as people see what their friends are buying and feel pressured to join in.

Many festivals involve gift-giving and celebrations, which encourage people to shop more, says Amit Relan, Anti-ad fraud analyst, Co-founder and CEO mFilterIt, a fraud detection company. “This is the time scammers create fake offers that appear too good to be true, such as significant discounts, exclusive deals, or high-return investments. They often use tactics like phishing emails, fake websites, and social media ads to lure unsuspecting individuals,” he says.

Relan shares a few tips to protect yourself from festive sale scams:

• Avoid too-good-to-be-true deals or offers: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Research similar products and their prices to ensure unrealistic discounts are not tricking you.

• Use secure payment methods: Make sure you use safe payment methods. Avoid direct bank transfers or payments through unknown platforms. Use credit cards or secure payment gateways that offer fraud protection.

• Check for authenticity: Check if it's counterfeit or not. Purchase products from official brand websites or authorised sellers only. Check product reviews and descriptions thoroughly. Numerous counterfeit products have been detected on online marketplaces, revealing that during the festive season, counterfeit sellers, especially in clothing, sporting goods, and personal care categories, become increasingly widespread.

• Keep personal information private: Do not share personal or sensitive information, including your PIN, on suspicious websites. Always ensure that the checkout process is secure before entering your details.

• Monitor account activity: Enable alerts for transactions, regularly check your bank and credit card statements, and promptly report any unauthorised transactions.

• Be vigilant: Brands are preparing for the festival season by using advanced AI and machine learning tools to identify counterfeit products. However, customers must also stay vigilant and protect their devices with security software to safeguard their personal information from phishing attacks and malware.