When we assist our local customers in Manchester with laptop problems, one common topic we discuss is identifying fake websites and online stores. Sadly, many of us know someone who has been scammed out of money by a fake online store or auction site.
In fact, between September and December 2019, Action Fraud received 22,455 reports of fake online shopping and auction fraud. People lost a total of £22.3 million during that time.
Considering that more people are working from home and spending more time online than ever before, these numbers are likely even higher now. But there are ways to help you spot and avoid fake online stores.
If you come across an online deal that seems too good to be true, it probably is and could be a risk to your money and personal information. It’s always a good idea to be suspicious of online bargains. You should also carefully examine websites that appear legitimate to make sure they’re not just trying to steal your information.
Here are a few simple tips to help you check if a site is legitimate and keep yourself safe.
Secure padlock
The first thing you should do is check the address bar for a green or grey padlock icon. This tells you if the connection between you and the website is secure and protected. If it’s encrypted, it means that your information, like your password and bank card details, is scrambled and unreadable.
If someone tries to hack your information while it’s being transmitted, they won’t be able to see it. However, you still need to be cautious because fake websites often use padlocks to deceive people into thinking they’re trustworthy.
In such cases, your information can still be stolen by the fraudster, but it will be transmitted securely only to them and not to other cybercriminals who may be watching. So, even if you see a padlock, it doesn’t mean you should automatically trust the website.
Check the sites contact details
While you might come across a “contact us” pop-up or box on a website, it may not be enough to determine if the site can be trusted. Take a closer look and search for clear contact details that include a real physical address, phone number, and email address.
If you find a website that doesn’t provide clear and easily verifiable contact information, it should raise alarm bells. Even if it’s a legitimate site, they would be violating consumer contract regulations by not disclosing their complete contact details.
The address they provide can be easily searched on Google Maps to ensure that the business actually exists and has a registered address. If it’s a limited company, you can search for it on the Companies House website. You can search for registered companies by name or registration number to confirm that it matches the information provided on the website.
If the website’s stated company name doesn’t exactly match the details on the Companies House database, it’s best to steer clear. Some scammers create highly convincing websites with names very similar to legitimate companies they are trying to imitate, hoping that people will mistake their site for the real one.
Check out the customer reviews
If the website displays customer reviews, it can be a positive indicator, but it’s important to dig deeper to ensure their genuineness. Trustpilot is a reliable platform to start with when checking for honest customer reviews. It allows you to see both positive and negative reviews, as some site owners tend to selectively showcase only the positive ones.
Some website owners may go to great lengths to manipulate reviews, sometimes even offering incentives to customers in exchange for positive reviews, such as free products or discount codes. If you come across an overwhelming number of positive reviews that appear generic or lack specific details, it’s wise to be sceptical about their authenticity.
Check the site quality
Authentic online stores take pride in their business and put great effort into creating well-designed websites that stand out from their competitors. They pay attention to customisation and ensure every detail is carefully crafted.
On the other hand, fake online shops are often hastily put together, using low-quality stock images and poorly formatted text that lacks coherence. The scammers know that their fraudulent activities may be uncovered, leading to the site being taken down. Therefore, they are reluctant to invest significant money into the website, fearing it will be shut down once their scam is exposed and reported.
To identify a fake online store, it’s important to look beyond just the specific product you’re interested in. Exploring the entire site will reveal telltale signs of its falseness. Keep an eye out for inconsistent text fonts, spelling errors, blurry or low-resolution images, and pages with placeholder text that is irrelevant to the site’s purpose. These indicators can help you uncover the true nature of the website.
Look for a privacy policy
It’s crucial to check if the website has a displayed privacy policy. According to the law, websites are required to have a privacy policy that clearly outlines how they will handle your data. If there is no privacy policy or if there is no explanation provided regarding how the site owners will use and protect your data, it’s best not to trust the website.
Taking a closer look at the fine print, including the terms and conditions, can be worthwhile. Web scammers often plagiarise a significant portion of their small print from other websites, sometimes without even bothering to change the wording!
You can test this by copying and pasting the text into Google. It will reveal whether the text has been taken from another website and who it actually belongs to. This simple method can help you uncover any dishonest practices and avoid falling victim to fraudulent websites.
How to shop safer
Even if you trust a website, there are ways to enhance your shopping safety. When purchasing something that costs between £100 and £30,000, using a credit card is the smartest choice. Credit card transactions often come with legal protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
Let’s say you buy a new laptop online, but it never arrives and the retailer ignores your emails. In such a scenario, Section 75 provides a solution to get a refund. That’s why it’s advisable to use a credit card for significant purchases, as it offers added security and peace of mind.
If your laptop or computer needs repair, don’t hesitate to contact Manchester PC. We aim to provide you with a transparent upfront quote. If you’re satisfied with our service and pricing, you can arrange for our DBS vetted driver to collect your device and bring it to our Manchester workshop. Once the device is fixed and you’ve paid the invoice, we’ll ensure it’s promptly returned to you. We’ve simplified the process so you can focus on what you enjoy. Trust Manchester PC for all your laptop and computer repair needs.
