The holidays are just around the corner. Christmas decorations are already put up in malls, along the roads and around the neighborhoods. Surely, you’re getting ready to buy and wrap gifts for the people dear to your heart. You might have the habit of shopping in advance or going along with countless heads in the mall for panic buying. 

Online shopping is also a convenient option for those who don’t want to go far and squeeze in with crowded people to buy their clothes and gifts. You might also be one of them because you want to save time and effort so you could work on other preparations. While it is helpful to go online shopping, you must also beware because online scammers are also working double time and double effort during the holidays. Why? Here are 4 reasons you must know.

1 – BECAUSE BUYERS ARE IN A HURRY

During the holidays, busyness is tripled. You finish work, buy gifts, cook food, go to Christmas parties, buy clothes and so many more. As much as you can, you do your best to manage your time to accomplish all the errands one after another. Time flies very fast, so you feel like you do really have to fly with it. 

These moments might leave you unfocused and unmindful of some things you do. That’s when online shopping scammers get a BINGO! They work double time also with the aim of confusing buyers and letting them get a bad quality product in exchange for a high price. Worse, they might give a different product or a defective one. Worse, they might not deliver the product thinking that you will no longer spend time contacting, disturbing and reporting them since it’s the Holiday Season, a busy and important time not to be wasted. 

BEWARE!!! Even when you’re in a hurry, be alert and watchful all the time when it comes to giving out your personal information online or over the phone. Do not fill out forms when you’re in a hurry, and do not answer suspicious questions without thinking carefully. Also, thoroughly check the product as soon as it gets delivered to you. Don’t let scammers run away, but spend time to do the least that you can even when it’s a time to be busy and also merry.

2 – BECAUSE BUYERS HAVE A LOT IN MIND

Both celebrations and stresses are present when the Holiday Season approaches. There are many gifts, foods and events here and there to spend money and time on. 

With those, you’re also thinking about several bills and payables. It’s a season of giving, and sometimes, it’s a time you also have to give back your debts. Well, the point is, there are innumerable thoughts and even problems people have especially during this season. Online shopping scammers also take advantage of that. 

Scammers might confuse you with details and prices if you’re not concentrated and if you seem distracted. You’re easily giving them a good time to fool you and get your money. 

BEWARE!!! There’s so much to think about when the Holiday Season is near, but for you to lessen those loads, be very careful when you’re buying online, and make sure that no scammer gets to add more problems for you. Be smart whenever you’re talking with them either through messaging or calling. Put your senses together, and watch out for every word they say so that you’ll safely shop online from a good online seller. 

3 – BECAUSE BUYERS ARE LOOKING FOR SALE

Red signs with the letters S-A-L-E are definitely popular during the Holidays! You have to spend money on countless expenses, so you want to at least save some to buy some more. Malls have specific SALE dates wherein they are filled with people who are all wanting to get the best out of those markdowns. 

That’s perfectly one of the favorite chances of online shopping scammers! Because discounted products catch lots of eyes, they use the SALE technique to attract people to their fake online shopping sites or online pages. They show low prices for excellent products! They take advantage of buyers’ desire to purchase cheap but good quality products.

Furthermore, online scammers can be disguised as cheap travel offers. They promote international trips and luxury escapes for hugely discounted promos? During the Holiday Season? A peak season? Really? It’s most likely a scam! 

BEWARE!!! If the price and the quality seem too good to be true, then be wary and question it already. Do not be deceived by well-made digital posters with seemingly trustworthy-looking models. Check every detail, and do not be easily magnetized by “cheap prices”. 

Carefully read terms and conditions for discount promos as well. If instructions written on their posts and websites seem doubtful, do not join anymore. Warn the others as well. Ask the online store about their posts, and if they seem suspicious as well about their explanation, you might need to tell concerned authorities about it.

4 – BECAUSE BUYERS WANT TO HELP OTHERS

The Holiday Season is a time of sharing and loving. You are a buyer, but you also love buying for a cause. Some purchases you make help other people. For example, a bookstore posts an announcement that every book you buy equates to two books for one child in a certain rural area. That’s a very good and touching act of helping.

Sadly and terribly, however, some online shopping scammers even take advantage of that. Some use “authentic-looking” posters about charity works, and trick buyers with catchy statements and offers. They imitate those done by legit charities and brands really doing charity work for the needy. 

BEWARE!!! Be careful of these kinds of tactics because such scammers are so bad as they use a good front to deceive people. Also, those who are doing charity works for real might be negatively affected as well. 

If you want to help but also be far from online shopping scammers, take note of all the details the online shopping site or page tells. Also check if the contest or the charity giving they’re announcing about is legally authorized and widely, even nationally, known and recognized. If you find goons doing such acts, don’t hesitate to report them immediately. 

HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY ONLINE SHOPPING!

The Holiday Season is the most wonderful time of the year, however, it could also be one of the most dangerous portions of it because it’s when opportunists also attack happy and busy people. Even online, they’re working hard to get a lot. 

Let this list be an eye-opener that you should not be careless when shopping online especially during the Holiday Season because it could be not just a happy time for you but also for scammers. Beware and be reminded of these tips. Have a happy and safe online shopping time this Holiday Season!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nicole Ann Pore is a writer, an events host and a voice over artist. Quality and well-researched writing is her worthwhile avenue to enlighten and delight others about things that matter. She is a daytime writer for Kims, a beachside retreat in Australia offering awesome beachside lodges like no other. Nicole graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.