How To Avoid Online Shopping Fraud
Shopping online is more prevalent during the holiday season than most any other time of year. While you are trying to avoid the crowds, make sure to stay aware of the dangers of online shopping. Scammers and cyber criminals know how to confuse and trick shoppers into giving them valuable financial information all while you think you’re simply buying a great gift. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) offers helpful tips for avoiding an online shopping disaster:
- Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) e-mail.
- Always compare the link in the e-mail to the web address link you are directed to and determine if they match.
- If you are requested to act quickly or there is an emergency, it may be a scam. Fraudsters create a sense of urgency to get you to act impulsively.
- For online auctions or bids, diligently check each seller’s rating and feedback along with their number of sales and the dates on which feedback was posted.
- If you have received a scam e-mail, please notify the IC3 by filing a complaint at www.ic3.gov.
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