Online shopping scams: Don’t ruin your festive fun, here's how to spot fake websites

With countless websites and online portals offering deals too tempting to resist, festival season often sparks a desire to shop till you drop. Discounts and sales that promise massive savings can be exciting, but it’s important to remain cautious while shopping online. Fraudsters can easily find their way into your bank account by luring you with fake or non-existent products.

It's important to learn how to identify fraudulent websites, advises Ashok Hariharan, CEO and Co-founder of IDfy. "Being aware is essential for online safety. Your bank details, social media and email logins, and personal and professional identities can all be safeguarded if you know what to look for in a fake website,” he says, adding, “Consumers should check for some common characteristics before making online transactions to avoid falling victim to fraud and to ensure the website complies with RBI regulations."

Here are 6 tips from Hariharan on how to identify fake websites and avoid them:

• Terms and conditions are crucial for understanding a website’s legitimacy:

Reputable websites typically include a section in their T&C that outlines the services they offer, return and refund policies, shipping and delivery details, and their legal standing. If such information is missing, that raises doubts about the site's legitimacy. Vague details in the T&C are a red flag. Always read the terms and conditions before making a purchase.

Also read | Online shopping scams: Fake websites, ‘unbelievable offers’ and other frauds that you should watch out for

• Privacy Policy outlines how your data is collected and used

A comprehensive privacy policy should clearly explain how your personal data is collected, stored, and transferred. If this information is unclear or missing, it's best to avoid the website.

• Look for the padlock sign to ensure a secure connection:

The padlock symbol indicates a secure and authentic site. Websites with an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate will have "https" at the beginning of the URL, ensuring that your information is encrypted and protected from hackers. Most browsers will warn you with a "not secure" message if the site lacks this feature.

• Check the URL and contact information for credibility and accuracy:

One of the easiest ways to spot a fake website is by checking for misspellings in the URL. Scammers often make slight changes to URLs by adding or removing letters. It's also important to verify the website's contact information, such as email, phone number, and physical address, in case issues arise with your purchase.

Also read | Financial fraud: How to report and register a complaint if you’ve been scammed

• Research customer reviews to gauge the site's trustworthiness:

When considering a high-priced purchase, check customer reviews both on the website and on independent platforms. Too many negative or no reviews can be a sign of a scam. Also, be cautious of overly positive reviews, as they may be fake.

• Watch for spelling errors that indicate a lack of professionalism:

Professional online businesses usually maintain high standards of communication. Numerous spelling or grammatical errors can indicate a hastily created scam website. If you notice many mistakes, it's a good idea to avoid the site altogether.