With many people turning to online shopping this year North Bay Police remind you to be vigilant to ensure you don’t fall victim to fraud.
Are you buying or selling?
The internet has made buying and selling not only convenient but transitioning into a normal part of life. People need to be aware that the internet has also opened every user’s door to scammers.
Buyers must do their due diligence when buying online to reduce victimization. If you are not familiar with a particular seller then try to independently verify who they are. Search online to see if anyone has reported good or bad experiences. Verify the ‘Contact Us’ page to see if the company offers customer service. And of course, we always need to remember if the asking price is too good to be true, it likely is.
People selling goods online need to be cautious as well. Be suspicious of any payment that is more than the agreed asking price. The “Overpayment Scam” occurs every month of the year but will surely be active this Christmas. Whether your payment includes a cheque or money received through an online payment provider, if the amount is in excess to cover shipping fees, consider the likelihood of a scam. No matter what the excuse as a “seller” you should never ship a product before receiving payment.
Quick Prevention Tips
- Verify the seller information ‐ are the phone numbers, email addresses legitimate.
- Check reviews on the seller. Look for the good, the bad, and the ugly experiences.
- Deal with reputable companies or individuals.
- Know what you are signing up for - read the terms and conditions, understand payment options, return policies, and product warranty.
- There are many ways to send money, but not all of them offer fraud protection. Verify the fraud coverage with the payment method that you choose to use.
Counterfeit Merchandise
People shopping online should be wary not to fall victim to counterfeit goods. Counterfeiters produce websites that look and feel like legitimate manufacturers. These products are sold at huge discounts but in many cases are far inferior and could pose significant health risks. For example, counterfeit jackets have been found to contain bacteria, fungus and mildew or running shoes that simply fall apart when laced up for the first time. Completing research on a website prior to making a purchase is your best protection. Look for any warnings posted online about the website and on the website look for spelling errors or a lack of content to verify information or inquiries.
Quick Prevention Tips
- Be wary if a product is listed way below the normal retail price AGAIN if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Using a credit card when shopping online may provide you with purchase protection. Check the terms and conditions of your credit card.
- Inspect the website thoroughly. Often counterfeit web sites contain grammatical errors.
- Online manufacturers generally use their own company email account. If a web-based email like Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo is listed on the website under their contact details, this is a huge red flag and further research is recommended.
- Upon delivery, inspect the quality of the product. If you notice any discrepancies, contact the manufacturer.
Be pro-active. Educate family, friends, neighbours, and co-workers on scams. You may prevent someone from becoming a victim. Education is the best way to fight fraud.
Thanks to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for their continued efforts in educating the public and assisting police. Their website www.antifraudcentre.ca is a great place for fraud information.
