In the age of social media, you can get basically anything by the click of a button.

See a cool shoe while scrolling on TikTok? Just send a direct message to the page owner, and it will be delivered to you in minutes.

Checked out a nice TV on Instagram, you can get it in minutes as well.

The rise of online shopping has been a boon for many, allowing them to save time that would have been spent in the shop, but it has also come with a downside.

There is no foolproof way of verifying online shops. There are good ones, but there are also scammers who take people’s hard-earned money and disappear into the shadows.

The 2023 State of Omnichannel Fraud Report released by TransUnion reveals that 42% of Kenyan consumers reported being targets of online fraud between September and December 2022. 

So, how do these scammers get to you?

Advance fee fraud

The first and most common is advance fee fraud. In this scam, individuals are duped into paying an upfront fee with the promise of receiving goods in return. However, once the fee is paid, the promised benefits never materialise.

In advance fee scams, scammers aim to manipulate your emotions and create a sense of urgency and excitement.

An example of such a scenario may be when you see an item that is way cheaper than similar products in other shops; as a human being, you might want to take advantage of this moment.

But as the saying goes, if a deal is too good to be true, think twice.

In such cases, the sellers weave a convincing narrative, making you believe you must pay first because the goods are selling fast.

Fake websites

The second one is fake websites, the surge in online shopping popularity has brought along a surge in e-commerce scams.

Fraudsters create fake websites and social media pages that look similar to legitimate online retailers, making it tricky for consumers to differentiate them.

Avoiding online shopping scams requires careful attention to detail and a good understanding of the tactics scammers use.

Here are some strategies to help you stay safe while shopping online:

1. Shop on Reputable Websites

Stick to well-known and established online retailers with a good reputation. If they have a website, check the URL to ensure it starts with “https://” and includes a padlock symbol, indicating it’s secure.

2. Be Wary of Unbelievably Low Prices

If the price of a product is significantly lower than what’s typical, it might be a scam. Scammers often lure victims with incredibly low prices. You can also cross-check prices on other websites to see if the deal is realistic.

3. Research the Seller

Reviews help a great deal when it comes to online shopping. Look for reviews of the seller or website. Be cautious if you find mostly negative reviews or none at all.

As part of the research, you can check if the website has clear contact information, including a physical address and phone number. If these are missing or fake, it’s a red flag.

4. Check for Red Flags on the Website or Social media pages

Scammers often use hastily created websites or pages with spelling mistakes and awkward grammar.

5. Read the Return and Refund Policies

Make sure the website and/or page has clear and reasonable return and refund policies. Scammers often have vague or non-existent policies.

6. Keep Records of Your Purchase

Keep records of your transaction, including emails, receipts, and confirmation numbers. These can be useful if you need to dispute a charge or return an item.

By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can greatly reduce your risk of falling victim to online shopping scams.