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Beware online shopping scams in
run up to Christmas
28.11.19
AN Garda Siochana and
FraudSMART are warning people in Inishowen to be
extremely cautious and alert to online scams
targeting consumers in the run up to Christmas.
Over €4 billion of online purchases using cards are
expected between November and December and consumers
are warned to make purchases using only secure
websites. |
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FraudSMART, a fraud
awareness initiative led by Banking & Payments
Federation Ireland (BPFI) and supported by An Garda
Síochána, have issued a strong warning to thousands
of consumers to be extra cautious in their online
activity on Black Friday and Cyber Monday and to
make purchases using only secure websites, where
‘https’ and a padlock symbol are on display.
Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Lordan of the
Garda National Economic Crime Bureau said "As the
pre-Christmas rush draws thousands of shoppers
online, we urge that people be aware of the
potential for fraud, whether they are buying or
selling a product. People should be particularly
careful when high value products are offered at
prices significantly under market value and when
there is a demand for payment in advance to a person
or entity that are not known or not clearly
identifiable”.
Olivia Buckley, Head of Fraud Prevention FraudSMART,
said "Almost €12 billion was spent using cards
between November and December last year, with well
over €4 billion of that spend accounted for by
e-commerce. Purchasing online is growing amongst
Irish consumers; €41.3bn of purchases were made with
cards in the first nine months of this year alone
with some €20.1bn of that spending carried out
online, almost double the amount for the same period
in 2015.”
Ms. Buckley also said: "In the region of 75% of all
card fraud occurs online, so serious caution is
required when purchasing goods or services. The
large volumes of online purchases expected to be
made this week means fraudsters will be attempting
to lure consumers into fraudulent websites, while
posing as authentic suppliers.”
Here are some critical pieces of advice that
consumers should follow to help protect their
finances and bank account. |
• Use secure
websites. The website address should be ‘https’
before the purchase is made, indicating a secure
connection
• Use sites where a padlock symbol is shown
beside the website address
• Do not under any circumstances use public
Wi-Fi when making payments - switch to 3G/4G on
your phone if necessary
• Independently visit the website of the online
sales company as opposed to clicking on social
media or pop-up adverts
• Be cautious about claiming outrageous offers -
if it sounds too good to be true it probably is
• Stick to well-known websites or websites that
you are familiar with or websites associated
with high street retail outlets
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Consumers can get
advice on how to avoid fraud by visiting
www.FraudSMART.ie
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