Stay Safe while Shopping Online: Spotting and Avoiding Fake Websites and Scam Ads

Online shopping serves different people for different purposes – it’s someone’s therapy, a busy executive’s quick alternative to offline shopping, a mother’s solution to all school costumes and props, a friend’s last minute gift purchase, and so on and so forth. Online shopping has truly transformed how we buy products for ourselves, and our dear ones. Unfortunately though, this convenience also comes with a darker side—online shopping fraud.

Cybercriminals create fake online stores and use social media ads to trick users into sharing personal information or making payments for non-existent products. These scams often look convincing, making them hard to spot at first glance.

Online shopping fraud is not only about losing a few hundred or a thousand rupees but can also have long-lasting effects:

• Financial Loss: Once money is transferred, recovery is almost impossible.
• Data Theft: Scam websites can misuse your personal details, including your credit card information.
• Brand Image: Victims often become hesitant to use the same brand/payment gateway again, even for genuine transactions.

Fraudsters prey on people’s trust, urgency, and desire for good deals. Let’s break down how these scams work and how you can protect yourself.

How Online Shopping Frauds work

1. Fake Accounts on Social Media

Fraudsters create duplicate or fake profiles on social media. They usually:

• Pose as reputed sellers or brands.
• Offer “exclusive” discounts that seem too good to be true.
• Use stolen product images and fake testimonials.
• Push for advance payments via UPI or bank transfers, and then disappear.

For example, a fake social media page might showcase trendy clothing at half the price of popular brands. Once payment is made, the account either blocks the buyer or vanishes overnight.

2. Fraudulent Online Websites

Fake websites are often designed to mimic authentic e-commerce platforms. They may:

• Use domain names similar to genuine sites (like xYz.in instead of xyz.in).
• Offer unbelievably cheap deals to lure shoppers.
• Puts your bank details at risk due to unsecured payment gateways.
• Deliver counterfeit products, or nothing at all.

These websites rely on buyers not double-checking details such as website authenticity, return policies, or contact information.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Being aware of common warning signs can save you from falling victim to online shopping frauds. A few warning signs include:

1. Unbelievable Discounts: If the deal looks too good to be true, it usually is.
2. No Cash on Delivery (COD): Scammers often insist on advance payments only.
3. Suspicious Website Design: Poor grammar, blurry images, or broken links are big indicators.
4. Unverified Social Media Handles: Check for blue ticks or the number of genuine followers.
5. No Customer Support: Legitimate businesses provide clear return/exchange policies and responsive customer service.

How to Protect Yourself

While fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself:

1. Verify Before You Buy: Always research the seller or website. A quick Google search for reviews can expose scams.
2. Check Website Security: Look for https:// and a padlock symbol in the URL before entering payment details.
3. Use Trusted Platforms: Stick to well-known e-commerce apps and websites with established reputations.
4. Be Cautious on Social Media: Don’t trust every page or ad you see on social media platforms. Verify the authenticity of the account.
5. Report Suspicious Activity: Report fake pages to respective domains, and register a cyber complaint at the government’s cybercrime portal.

Remember, genuine businesses value transparency, provide secure payment options, and never pressure you into quick payments.

The next time you come across an unbelievable deal on social media or a website you’ve never heard of—pause, verify, and think twice before hitting “Buy Now.”

How to Report a Scam on PhonePe

If you’ve been targeted via PhonePe, here’s how to raise an issue:

1.PhonePe app: Go to the Help section and raise an issue under the “have an issue with the transaction” option.

2.PhonePe Customer Care Number: You can call PhonePe customer care on 80–68727374 / 022–68727374 to raise an issue, after which the customer care agent will raise a ticket and help with your issue.

3 . Social media: You can report fraud on

Twitter — https://twitter.com/PhonePeSupport

Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/OfficialPhonePe

4. Grievance: To report a grievance for the existing complaint you   can login to: https://grievance.phonepe.com/ and share the ticket ID previously raised.

5. Cyber cell: Lastly, you can report fraud complaints at the nearest Cyber Crime cell or register a complaint online at https://www.cybercrime.gov.in/ or contact the Cyber Crime Cell helpline at 1930.

Important reminder — PhonePe never asks for confidential or personal details. Ignore all emails claiming to be from PhonePe if they are not from the phonepe.com domain. If you suspect fraud, please contact the authorities immediately.