Get Smarter and Protect Yourself from Scams This Diwali

Diwali is the festival that represents the triumph of light over darkness. It’s a time of celebrations, new beginnings, and togetherness. However, the world isn't all sunshine and rainbows. While you’re busy enjoying the festivities, many fraudsters and scammers might take advantage of the season to deceive you financially. Hence, you must remain vigilant against potential threats during this festival. This blog discusses some common Diwali shopping scams and precautions against them to help you safeguard your finances and personal information. Read on!

Top Online Scams to Avoid This Diwali

The following are the different types of scams that are witnessed during the festive season:

1.    The Bogus URL/Website Scams
Most scammers distribute fake URLs and emails that appear quite close to original companies and retailers. At times, you tend to overlook them as well. These URLs are often present in phishing emails and lead you to scam sites. The online scam websites steal your login credentials and payment details and even place orders using the stolen information.
Thus, to avoid falling into these traps, it is advised to visit only the sites of reputable retailers directly. Do not click on any links received via text, email, or any direct message. Check that the site name starts with "https" and a padlock sign to make sure it's the official site, and type known addresses manually.

2.    Prize and Gift Scams
During Diwali, scammers distribute prize and gift notifications through direct calls, email, or text messages. However, to claim these prizes, scammers provide you with a questionnaire to fill out. This is another trap used to steal your personal information and payment history. 
Several URLs ending with .cn (the Chinese domain), especially those that redirect, are known scammers. Moreover, many URL domains ending with .xyz and .top are also well-known for scams. To find out if a website is legit or a scam, you can use a website checker tool such as Google's Safe Browsing Site Status.

3.    Fake Charity Scams
Charity scams take place when fraudsters ask for contributions towards a relief fund through a fake donation website. In certain cases, they also ask for help as a needy individual for treatment of a critical medical condition. Fraudsters share messages from different contact numbers, stating different types of engaging and heartbreaking stories that are completely fake. 
Avoid such donations during the festive season. Instead, you should check the authenticity of the person and website before donating. Any authenticated charity will have a website stating its mission statement and valid documentation details. 

4.    Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are among the most common online scams during Diwali season. Here, a scammer sends emails or texts to retrieve bank-related details, account numbers, passwords, and other sensitive information. After this, they gain access to your bank and email accounts. Or, they may sell the acquired information to other scammers. As more people go shopping during the festive season, phishing attacks are at their peak.
To avoid falling into a phishing scam, set a strong password on your computer and safeguard your phone by updating its software regularly. Also, avoid opening links from any untrustworthy messages and emails.

5.    Social Media Scams
Social media scams are those where fraudsters utilise social networking platforms to retrieve personal information. Scammers set up fake profiles on social media sites, apps, and platforms. Then, they approach individuals posing as their closest friends or family members or showing interest in a relationship. Sometimes, they pretend to be real companies by copying their logos and site designs.
To prevent this, make sure to limit the sharing of information on social media and interact with people after proper understanding. Also, remember to educate your family members, especially elderly parents, about how these common online scams work.

ALSO READ :- Easy Gifting This Diwali With A Personal Loan

Top 6 Useful Tips to Protect Yourself from Online Scams

This Diwali, be a little aware of how to protect yourself from online scams. Here are some common useful tips to follow to safeguard yourself:

1.    Shop from Trusted Websites Only
During Diwali, shop from trusted websites only. Make sure you have visited some well-known and trustworthy e-commerce platforms with reliable payment options or banking systems. Most importantly, to protect yourself from online scams, refrain from clicking any random advertisements or suspicious links that might redirect you to other fraudulent websites. 

2.    Check for Secure Payment Options
Visit websites offering secure payment options. Choose sites that provide you with trusted payment gateways or maintain a structured payment system. Do not look for websites asking for cash on delivery of products, as these are mostly involved in fraudulent activities. These kinds of Diwali cyber threats are most common during Diwali or the festive season. 

3.    Beware of Phishing Emails and Messages
During the festive season, you might receive several suspicious emails and messages from fraudsters offering you attractive deals and gifts. These messages appear to be from real retailers, but the attachments are fake or fraudulent. Thus, stop yourself from clicking on any link from a source you don't trust. The sent links might also contain a virus and thereby contaminate your computer. Thus, contact any retailer directly to verify the authenticity of any email or message by visiting their official website or reaching out to the customer service helpline. 

4.    Purchase Gift Cards from Trustworthy Sources
During the festive season, many scammers sell fake e-gift cards that look reputable but aren't actually. Once you purchase gift cards, fraudsters provide you with the card identification number from where they can extract its total value. Other common gift card scams involve selling tampered physical cards and asking for payments in gift cards, which cannot be reversed.
Gift cards are commonly used for Diwali scams as they are difficult to trace, and it becomes challenging to find out the source of fraud. That is why you should only buy virtual gift cards from trusted sources and stick to credit cards/debit cards for online shopping, as banks allow you to reverse payments.

5.    Be Cautious with Links from Unknown Sources on Social Media
Phishing scams often send malicious links that appear to be coming from trusted sources. However, these links mostly lead you to some unauthorised access. Thus, make sure to check other links and check their originality before clicking the actual URL. Scammers during the festive season are more prone to send malicious links with features of reputable sources. 
Hence, verifying the identity of the sender and checking the authenticity of the URL is crucial before you click on anything else. 

To Conclude

As you celebrate Diwali with joy and exciting festivities, it’s important to stay vigilant and protect yourself from scams. By being cautious with online shopping, verifying sources, and keeping your personal information secure, you can enjoy the festival without falling victim to fraud. So, stay informed, be aware of fraudsters, and take proactive steps to safeguard your finances and personal data. A little caution can help you ensure you a safe and scam-free Diwali.

Disclaimer

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