Avoid Frauds
Approaching the end of the year, and with it, the Christmas shopping and the expected deals. For many, this is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of great discounts on products and services. However, it is also the time in which the scammers take advantage of the high activity of online shopping to steal personal and financial data. If you're in Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru or any other country in Latin america, it is critical to take precautions when making your purchases. Here we leave you the most important tips to protect you while you enjoy the best offers of Black Friday.
1. Research before you buy
Before making a purchase, the key is to investigate and compare prices. Not only is this find you the best price, but also make sure that the online store is reliable. Check the reviews of other buyers and reviews, return policies, and shipping. This will help you to avoid falling into scams.
2. Use a secure connection
Never make purchases using Wifi networks public, since they are more vulnerable to cyber attacks. Make sure that the connection is encrypted, looking for “https://” in the URL of the web site.
3. Keep your software updated
Make sure your web browser and anti-virus is always updated. The programs are out of date may have vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to gain access to your personal and financial information and commit fraud.
4. Do not share unnecessary personal information
Never enter personal information, such as credit card number or your address, web sites or emails to unknown. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of a web site, it is better not to make the purchase. Make sure that the site is secure and reliable.
5. Active two-factor authentication (2FA)
The two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security that protects you when you require something more than just your password. Whether it is a code sent by SMS or app authentication, 2FA makes it much more difficult for a scammer to access your accounts.
6. Prevents the sites without SSL certificate
When buying online, make sure that the website has a SSL certificate (Secure Sockets Layer). You can recognize it because the site URL begins with “https://”. This certificate encrypts the information you enter, such as your credit card and personal data, ensuring that you won't be intercepted by third parties and to prevent fraud in your online transactions.
7.Trust your instinct
If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Cybercriminals often use amazing deals to attract buyers by surprise. If you are suspicious, do not hesitate to investigate more thoroughly before proceeding with the purchase, take a few minutes to read the opinions of other buyers. The reviews can reveal recurring problems with the seller or the product, as late submissions, defective products, or lack of care to the client. If you have a lot of negative reviews or no reviews at all, it is best to proceed with caution in order to avoid fraud. Remember that a good reputation is key to trust a website or seller.
8. Wary of e-mails and fraudulent messages
It is common for scammers send e-mails or text messages fake that seem to come out of shops legitimate. These messages can contain malicious links or attachments with malware. Never click on links from unknown sources, and always verifies that the sender is really who he claims to be and so to avoid fraud.
When you follow these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of being a victim of scams and protect your financial and personal data, while you enjoy the deals of Black Friday. In countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru or any other country in Latin america, the security when shopping online is key to having a great shopping experience safe and successful.
