As spring shopping spikes, an expert gives Newsweek tips to avoid rising online scam when hunting for seasonal deals.
With spring in full swing, shoppers are diving into seasonal sales, from Mother’s Day gifts to fresh wardrobe updates. But as consumers hunt for bargains, scammers are quick to pounce on unsuspecting buyers.
“Platforms like TikTok Shop, Instagram and Facebook Marketplace have made it incredibly easy for products to go viral overnight, and criminals are exploiting that speed,” says financial expert Tobias Robinson, CEO of broker and trading platformRecent figures show that more than seven million adults in the U.K. fell victim to a scam in the past year, with over a quarter targeted while shopping online, according to Citizens Advice. According to Robinson, fake or counterfeit products are among the most common traps laid for unsuspecting buyers. In the U.S., about 36 percent of adults report having bought an item online that either never arrived or was counterfeit and was not refunded—a common type of online shopping scam, reports Pew Research Centerthe top scam tactics to watch out for—and how shoppers can avoid them while hunting for the season’s best deals.Robinson highlighted fake social media sellers as one of the most underestimated scams this year. “Fake sellers will copy trending products, set up cloned listings or temporary accounts, and disappear as soon as they’ve taken enough orders. Around big shopping occasions such as Mother’s Day, scammers promote trending gifts or ‘limited-time deals’ that look identical to legitimate product pages,” he said. He also noted a rise in fake “order issue” messages, which mimic retailers’ branding to capture payment details or login information.Fake product reviews on sites like Amazon often include technical language or unusual phrasing. Robinson explained that human reviewers are paid by manufacturers to post misleading comments: “There are 'review exchange' clubs online, normally on social media sites, where sellers on sites like Amazon will offer goods in return for overly generous comments—often ones that are extremely misleading.”Incorrect Bank Details“If a retailer suddenly asks you to update your bank details urgently and warns that you could lose your order if you don’t, that’s a clear red flag. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you into handing over financial information in a panic,” Robinson warned.Special offers advertised online can be fake, with websites taking payment but never delivering the product. Robinson advises verifying sellers through official channels, such as the Business Bureau.Scammers often impersonate brands on social media, tricking users into giving personal or financial information. “With the rise of TikTok Shop in particular, shoppers should be extra cautious. Viral products and limited-time livestream deals can create pressure to buy quickly, making it easier for fake sellers or cloned listings to slip through unnoticed. Because purchases are often made directly within the app, people may skip basic checks they would normally make on a website,” Robinson said.‘Grey Market’ Products“Even if it means paying a bit more money, you should go through verified channels as this ensures your purchases are protected,” Robinson advised.“You should only buy gift cards from reputable sources, such as the retailer’s official store or online website,” Robinson said.“One simple rule that protects you from a huge number of scams is to avoid clicking on shopping links in unexpected emails, texts, or direct messages. If a retailer contacts you about an order, don’t use the link they provide. Always go directly to the company’s official website or app and check your account there. It takes an extra minute, but that one habit alone can stop you from handing sensitive information to a fake page.
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