The festive season is the busiest time of the year for online shopping, and also for online fraud. As sale banners go up and deal alerts flood phones, scammers move in with their own versions: websites that copy famous brands, discounts that seem too generous to pass up, and “free gift” links that arrive on WhatsApp just when people are hunting for bargains. The pressure and excitement to lock a deal before it disappears often makes it easy to click first and think later. Also, many of such traps look convincing as they come with real logos, polished pages and some urgent countdowns which compel you to click. Knowing the warning signs can save you from losing money, card details or access to your accounts. Here is how to tell a genuine festive offer from a fake one.




Bumper discounts that don’t add upA latest-model smartphone at half price, or a branded watch for a few hundred rupees, should make you stop and think. Genuine sales do cut prices, but fraudsters set theirs absurdly low because they never plan to deliver. Compare the price with the same product on the brand’s official store or a trusted marketplace. If it is far lower than everywhere else, treat it as a warning. Countdown timers and “only three left” banners are also pressure tactics, and they are easy for anyone to fake.




“Free gift” links and fake contestsWe often receive messages announcing that we have won some festive hamper, or a voucher or even a gold coin in some lucky draw. But what is important here is that we never participated in any such draw and its always turn out to be a scam. The link which is shared in the message may direct you to a form which asks for your address, credit card details and may also charge small ‘shipping fee’. But it’s important that you never pay to receive a prize. Also, keep in mind that you never need a UPI PIN or an OTP to receive money or a gift, because those are used only to send payments or confirm them. If a page asks for either, close it.




Fake shopping sites and appsScammers always try to lure the customers by creating copycat websites with addresses that are slightly off. For instance, they may include some extra words, a swapped letter or an unusual ending. So, before to make any purchase just thoroughly check the web address and look for contact details and a clear return policy. Also, be cautious about the pages that accept only payment made by UPI transfer or bank transfer. Avoid downloading ant app from the links shared in chats or text messages. It’s important that you always download and install the apps only from the official Play Store or App Store, as the fake files present in forwarded messages can steal your data and also read all your messages.




Fake delivery and customer-care messagesDuring the time of festive sale, many of use receive text messages saying that your parcel is stuck and you will have to pay a small amount or update your address details by clicking on the given link. Scammers also post fake customer-care numbers on social media and search results, then ask you to share an OTP or install a screen-sharing app in order to fix the order. It’s important to note that the real companies never ask for any of these details. You can always check your order status inside the shopping app and can find the customer care number by visiting the official website of the company.




Safer shopping habits* It is advisable to type the complete website address by yourself or always access the service via its official app and avoid clicking on any random link present in a message.




* Always use the platform’s official checkout system. Cards or cash on delivery can offer more protection than a direct transfer to an individual.




* Always keep a check on the reviews of the service. Some of the glowing reviews can be fake, so read a mix and check when they were posted online.




* It’s always important to stay alert. So, enable two-step verification, and use a different password for each shopping account.




* In case an offer makes you feel rushed, check it with the brand before paying.




What to do if you’ve been scammedAct fast. Call your bank immediately to block your card or account, and change the passwords on any accounts you may have exposed. Uninstall any app you were told to download. In India, report the fraud on the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in, as early reporting improves the chances of freezing the money. Report and block the sender, and warn friends and family.




A good rule for the season is simple: if the deal seems too good to be true, or you can’t verify it, walk away.