The internet offers many temptations, but also dangers, especially during events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Here are crucial steps to minimise the risk:
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Recognising fake reviews π
-Be careful with overly promotional or inappropriate reviews.
-Check whether the author is also active in other businesses.
-Use tools such as Review Meta, especially for private label products, to identify fake reviews.
Protection against fake shops π¨
-Research the name of the shop and operator before buying.
-Prefer payment methods with comprehensive buyer protection.
-Use the consumer advice centre’s fake shop finder to identify problematic shops.
Recognising fake merchant accounts π
-Watch out for suspiciously favourable offers.
-Check whether the shop offers additional discounts outside of Amazon that jeopardise buyer protection.
Different payment methods π°
-Use PayPal buyer protection and credit cards with insurance packages.
-Actively check seals of approval such as Trusted Shops and look out for encrypted websites with secure data transmission.
-Check whether the shop’s website uses encrypted data transmission, recognisable by the URL beginning with “https” and a lock symbol in the address bar of the browser. In addition, a complete legal notice, a contactable hotline and other confidence-building measures are important criteria for reliability.
Money gone? π³
-If there is suspicious activity, block access and card immediately via the banking or credit card app.
-Order a replacement card from your bank or savings bank.
-Use the chargeback procedure to dispute unjustified payments. Avoid Paypal transfers via the friends function.
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With these tips, you are optimally prepared for the next Black Friday. Do you know any other tips? Feel free to share them in the comments! π¬
