Festival sale frenzy: How to outsmart fraudsters

Authored by  Dr. Saurabh Mittal, Assistant Professor, FORE School of Management, New Delhi

Attention all festival-goers and online shopping enthusiasts! As the anticipation for the upcoming festival season of exhilarating online sales mounts, we must be vigilant in navigating the darker side lurking behind them. Yes, you heard it right – online fraudulent websites have invaded the realm of festival sales! In this eye-opening blog post, we dive deep into unmasking these unethical platforms that seek to exploit your loved ones for discounts and deals while putting your hard-earned money at risk.

These fake websites often masquerade as legitimate businesses, tricking consumers into making purchases or sharing personal information. This is especially common during peak sales seasons like festival sales, when scammers take advantage of the increased traffic to lure unsuspecting shoppers.

Get ready to arm yourself with knowledge as we expose their deceptive tactics and empower you with essential tips to ensure a safe and truly unforgettable festival experience. Don't let fraudsters steal your joy – join us on this journey as we shine a light on the dark side of festival sales!

Festival Sales and Online Shopping

Festival season is often considered as the perfect opportunity to indulge in some retail therapy. The excitement of discounted prices, exclusive offers, and limited edition products make festival sales one of the most awaited events of the year for shoppers. However, with the rise in popularity of online shopping, there has been a significant increase in fraudulent websites that take advantage of this festive spirit.

Online shopping has become increasingly popular due to its convenience, wide variety of options, and competitive pricing. This makes it the ideal platform for festival sales as people can browse through multiple options at their convenience and compare prices before making a purchase. However, with so many websites claiming to offer the best deals during the festival season, it can be daunting for consumers to differentiate between legitimate retailers and fraudulent ones.

In recent years, there have been numerous cases where unsuspecting shoppers have fallen victim to fake festival sale offers promoted by fraudulent websites. These websites lure customers with attractive discounts and deals on popular products but end up scamming them out of their money or personal information. As consumers become more aware and cautious about online frauds during festival season, it is essential to understand how these fraudulent websites operate and how you can protect yourself from falling prey to their scams.

Rise in Online Fraudulent Websites during Festival Sales

The advent of the internet and e-commerce has made shopping more convenient and accessible for people all over the world. With the rise of festival sales, an increasing number of consumers are turning to online platforms to make their purchases, looking for deals and discounts on their favorite products. However, with this increase in online shopping also comes a rise in fraudulent websites that target unsuspecting shoppers during festival sales. These websites often promise unbelievable discounts and offers, luring customers into making purchases that turn out to be scams.

According to a report by Riskified, online fraud attempts increased by 17% globally during the festive season in 2019 compared to previous months. This trend is expected to continue as festivals become bigger and more popular each year.

One reason for this surge in fraudulent websites during festival sales is the high volume of transactions taking place at once. Most retailers offer significant discounts during these periods which attract large numbers of shoppers who are eager to take advantage. Cybercriminals see this as an opportunity to exploit unsuspecting customers who might not be vigilant while making purchases.

Moreover, it is becoming easier than ever for scammers to create fake websites and trick customers into thinking they are legitimate retail sites. They use techniques such as mimicking popular brands' websites or using similar domain names to deceive shoppers into believing they are shopping from trusted sources.

Additionally, social media platforms have become a breeding ground for fraudulent activities during festival sales. Advertisements promoting fake websites with attractive deals flood users' feeds, making it easy for them to click on the links and directly reach the intended websites/ apps. The repetitive advertisements excite the users and they feel a temptation to click on the advertisements.

Online shopping has become a popular trend in recent years, with the convenience of being able to purchase items from the comfort of our own homes. However, this convenience has also opened up opportunities for fraudulent websites to scam unsuspecting buyers. Festival sales are particularly attractive for these scammers as they can capitalize on the increased traffic and eagerness for shoppers to snag a good deal.

So how exactly do these fraudulent websites work? Here are some common tactics that they use:

Impersonating legitimate websites: One of the main ways that these fraudulent websites operate is by creating fake versions of well-known and trusted e-commerce sites. They may use a similar URL or domain name but with subtle differences such as spelling errors or using a different top-level domain (.net instead of .com). These sites often feature copied content and images from legitimate sites, making it hard for customers to spot the difference.

False advertising: Another tactic used by fraudulent websites is false advertising. They will advertise popular products at extremely low prices to entice customers into making purchases. However, once payment is made, either no product will be delivered at all or a cheap knock-off version will be sent instead.

Fake reviews: Positive customer reviews are important in building trust and credibility for online businesses. Fraudulent websites often create fake reviews either by paying individuals to post them or by fabricating them themselves. These reviews may seem genuine but in reality, they have not been left by actual customers.

Warning Signs of a Fake Website

To protect yourself from falling prey to these online scams, it is crucial to be aware of the warning signs of a fake website. Here are some red flags to watch out for:

Poor Website Design: One of the most common indicators of a fraudulent website is its design. Fake websites often have poorly designed layouts with low-quality images and content that is riddled with grammatical errors and typos. Legitimate businesses invest time and resources in creating attractive and user-friendly websites, so if something looks off about a website's design, it should raise suspicion.

Suspicious URLs: Pay attention to the website's URL as it can reveal a lot about its authenticity. Scammers often create URLs that closely resemble legitimate businesses' URLs but may have variations such as adding numbers or misspelt words. Always double-check the URL for any inconsistencies or irregularities before making any purchases.

Unsecured Connection: A secure connection is essential when making online transactions as it protects your personal information from being intercepted by hackers or scammers. If a website does not have an HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) connection or a padlock icon

Steps to Protect Yourself from Online Frauds during the Festival Season

The festive season is a time of joy, celebration and shopping. With the rise of online shopping platforms, it has become easier for people to purchase gifts and other items in the comfort of their own homes. However, with this convenience comes a higher risk of falling prey to online fraud. In this section, we will outline some essential steps that you can take to protect yourself from online fraudulent websites during the festival season.

Be cautious when clicking on links: During this festive season, you may receive numerous emails or social media posts advertising sales or deals from various websites. While these offers may seem tempting, be cautious when clicking on any links provided in these messages. Always double-check the legitimacy of the website before making any purchases as scammers often send out fake sale advertisements to lure unsuspecting victims.

Verify website security: One way to ensure that your personal information is safe while making an online transaction is by checking for SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption on the website you are visiting. This encrypted connection ensures that sensitive data such as credit card information is securely transmitted between your device and the website's server.

Do not shop on public Wi-Fi: It may be tempting to browse through online stores and make purchases while sipping coffee at your favourite cafe; however, using public Wi-Fi networks puts you at great risk of being hacked by cybercriminals. These networks are often unsecured, making it easy for hackers to intercept your data and steal sensitive information.

Conclusion: Be Vigilant and Stay Safe While Shopping Online.

So, festival sales can be a prime target for these fraudulent websites as they take advantage of the increased traffic and excitement during these periods. But fear not, there are still ways to protect yourself from falling victim to online fraud while shopping during these festival sales. Always be vigilant and cautious when browsing through different websites. The old saying "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is" holds very true when it comes to online shopping. Be wary of heavily discounted prices or extremely low prices compared to other legitimate retailers. These could be red flags indicating a potentially fraudulent website.

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and Adgully.com does not necessarily subscribe to it.