Online scams have become increasingly common. Many people have been duped at some point, or know of someone who has.
Most consumers are often misled into purchasing counterfeit items online. That is why it is essential to take extra precautions when shopping online, and one of the most important things you can do is know where you’re shopping from.
Some of these counterfeit goods can be dangerous, and many of the products may not meet government-determined safety standards.
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EWN spoke to Consumer journalist Wendy Knowler, who shared a recent case involving a company that has a pattern of broken delivery promises, substandard products and poor communication.
Further investigation revealed a conversation with the payment merchant Pay Now, which indicated that it did not perform thorough due diligence on the company before onboarding.
She encouraged consumers to research the company’s reputation, verify its physical contact details, and be cautious of red flags such as poor communication and a lack of transparency.
“If you don’t see full contact details, that’s a red flag. That’s a sign that they’re not taking their business seriously.
“If you see a pattern of complaints, particularly when the problem is compounded by lack of communication, that’s a double whammy,” Knowler stated.
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Here are four red flags to help you determine whether an online purchase is counterfeit or not:
- When the site prompts you to pressure you to act fast
- The site requests unnecessary information
- When the site asks for unusual types of payment
- You spot spelling errors in the URL
Always stay vigilant and be extra cautious when making purchases. Take a deep breath and pause before you send anyone your payment and personal information. If it feels a little off or too good to be true, it might be best to move on.
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Feature Image: Gettys
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