Q6. How can I check if a seller is legitimate or website genuine?
@quad9 SSL Encryption of a website is not a method to determine legitimacy of a site. Make sure you end up on the right site (check the domain name) and use a service like Quad9 to help prevent clicking on bogus sites. Quad9.net
@GetSafeOnline Look for reviews/recommendations. Type in the website address yourself instead of clicking links, fraudsters have fake sites with very close spellings. Check that the payment page is secure with https and a padlock, though TBH even this could be a scammer’s site
@scamadviser Apart from checking scamadviser.com we always recommend contacting the website, preferably by phone. If in doubt… do not do it!
@RH_ISAC Security certifications & secure pages are a start but some fraudulent sites have those in place. Slow the impulse to buy, conduct diligent research (search Google, the BBB, social media for REAL reviews, etc.). Beware of the use of fake reviews on social media!
@TakeFive Researching the seller/website by reading different online reviews will allow you to determine their authenticity. You can also double-check the website’s domain name to ensure it’s not fraudulent. Purchase items made by a major brand from the list of authorised sellers listed on their official website
@APWG_EU Contacting the vendor before making the purchase is a very good starting point. If the response is poor and does not answer your question, it could be a sign of a #bot trying to scam you.”
@EC3Europol #BuySafePaySafe tip: use a creditcard when shopping online most credit cards have a strong customer protection policy; if you don’t get what you ordered, there is a process to get a refund from the card issuer.
@EMEA_GCA And some even offer specific insurance policies for online shopping. Check with your bank!
@GetSafeOnline With a credit card, you get protection against fraud & non-arrival of goods. This goes for not only shopping but booking tickets & holidays too. If you’re asked to pay by bank transfer & it’s fraud, you may never see your money again, so think carefully before you do
@scamadviser Most credit cards offer insurance and allow you to do a charge back. We also recommend PayPal. However, Credit Card Companies and Paypal are becoming less lenient to consumers as the number of scams increases.
@Cyber_Readiness To make sure websites are legitimate:
1.Check if the retailer has contact details
2.Browse through customer feedback to verify whether previous customers have been satisfied with the retailer
3. Run a Google search using the retailer’s name and “scam” or “fake”
4. Check the URL. Ensure that the link starts with “https” rather than just “http” - the “s” means that your connection is encrypted!
5. Use your gut feeling. Does the website look and feel professional? If so, it’s more likely that the retailer is legitimate.
@EMEA_GCA Again, if you are in Europe , check the Legal Notice. If you can’t find a registered name, a registered address, and a VAT number there, just don’t buy! If so, check if there are any other sites using any of those details
@CarpeDiemCyber Lot’s of good answers here already. One thing I’d add is use your common sense. If you get the same feeling from an online seller that you get from the person selling football jerseys on the corner, think again.