If you’re someone who enjoys searching around for a bargain, the internet has opened up a whole world of possibilities for you to make huge savings on any purchase you wish to make. However, it has also allowed people who want to take advantage of this keen-to-save nature, by allowing fake websites to spring up all over the internet offering unbelievable prices on some top brands. Here’s a quick tip: they are unbelievable because they’re a load of rubbish!
Image source: smartphotostock
Along with taking your money for products which are anything but genuine, these websites often have the ability to steal your credit card or bank account details and may never send out the goods you’re after, taking money out of your account on a whim instead. While there are many sites such as this that look extremely convincing to the untrained eye, as you get more familiar with the online e-commerce world, hopefully you will find it easier to spot fake websites.
Take Simple Steps Towards Greater Online Security
Everyone advises it, but how many of us actually do it? Updating your anti-virus software, internet browser (ditch Internet Explorer if you haven’t already), and firewall programs will reduce the risk to you considerably, and not just while you’re looking to purchase goods. Many of the best software kits will tell you the moment you enter an unsavory link neighborhood, so they are definitely worth investing in.
The second hottest tip when it comes to preventing online fraud is to make sure you’re only ever entering your banking details on secure sites. Make sure your website address is http://www.instantssl.com/ssl-certificate-products/https.html – any online retailer worth their salt will have these security precautions installed as standard. Beware anyone who doesn’t, or claims to have other forms of security – there’s nothing guaranteed without the secure domain prefix.
Don’t Just Look At The Product, Look At The Website Too
When you’re looking to buy a product online, odds are you’re going to be looking in detail at the product itself: its image, description and most importantly, its price. However, when you’re thinking of buying you need to make sure you’re taking into account the whole website. Is it trying to copy a big brand website unsuccessful, or is it full of spelling and grammar mistakes? Sites selling fakes will often try to copy larger websites on a much smaller budget, resulting in poor graphics and low quality content designed to trick search engines into displaying their site higher in the organic search engine rankings.
Ultimately, you need to trust your instincts. If you feel like a deal you’ve found is too good to be true, that’s probably because it is and you should walk away from the site as quickly as possible, making a note not to return in the future. When shopping for genuine electronics, official band t shirts or Prada handbags the rules are the same: keep your wits about you and analyze every website you buy from properly and you’ll be able to keep your money safe while enjoying the convenience of buying online.
Awesome tips! Internet security is so important these days. There are so many scammers out there!
great tips on how to spot a website that’s selling fake goods- thank you Obasi!
This reminds me of those “street vendors” that try to sell the knock off hand bags as the actually “name brand” items. If I can’t see where they got the merchandise from I turn and run the other way. The same with websites. Thanks Obasi for this update. :)
There are so many scams out there, gray market items, and allot of people just don’t know much about it, and they think they are getting a good deal.. Thanks for sharing this, and making people aware.