How do I recognize fake shops when shopping online? Tips from financial experts at MDR THÜRINGEN

How do I recognize fake shops when shopping online? Tips from financial experts at MDR THÜRINGEN

According to a report by www.mdr.de, there is a risk of falling victim to fake shops when shopping online. These lure consumers with seemingly cheap offers and often use advance transfers or credit cards as the only payment option. The consumer advice center now offers a tool that can be used to check suspicious websites. Experts also recommend asking questionable online shops about rating portals and comparing prices and products.

Fake shops play on buyers' fear of missing out on unique offers - according to the motto “Stinginess is cool”. Anyone who smells a bargain likes to unconsciously switch off a few control mechanisms when purchasing. This makes it all the more important to recognize signs that could indicate a scam.

The consumer advice center's new tool allows consumers to check the reliability of a website. It classifies the site as reputable, conspicuous or dubious and provides criteria for assessing trustworthiness.

According to experts, warning signs for fake shops can be if the offer is too good to be true, the offer is limited in time, the goods cannot be found anywhere else, there are only a few payment options, such as advance transfers or credit cards, and there is no legal notice or direct call option.

Experts also recommend that you first place a cheap order from unsafe shops instead of investing a lot of money straight away. Buyers should also be careful with unknown shops in Asia, as legal action in the event of fraud is often unsuccessful.

It is recommended to consult rating portals for suspicious shops, compare products and prices and, in the event of fraud, report the incident to the police and consumer associations. These measures can help protect consumers from online fraud.