Five cyber frauds to watch for while shopping online this Diwali

Diwali is only a few days away, and many online shopping platforms are running offers and discounts. People are ordering smartphones, laptops, clothes and home decor items online. But caution is essential while shopping, because cyber fraudsters use the sale and offer season to cheat people and empty their bank accounts. Here are five frauds through which anyone can easily be duped.

The first is the fake shopping website. During sales, offers and discount days, fraudsters create fake websites that look exactly like the real ones. These sites claim to sell smartphones, TVs and other goods at very low prices. Lured by the offers, customers place orders. After payment, the goods either never arrive or arrive in poor condition. To avoid this, buy only from the company's authorised website.

The second is fake advertising on social media. Even before Diwali begins, all kinds of Diwali-themed advertisements start appearing on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. They claim discounts of 70 to 80 per cent on branded products and carry a link for buying. The link takes customers to a fake website, where they can be cheated. Before buying anything, check the offer on the authorised website of the company concerned.

The third is the QR code. Before Diwali, fraudsters send fake QR codes in the name of Diwali gifts, cashback or other prizes. On scanning the code, an option to enter the UPI PIN appears, and the account is emptied as soon as the PIN is entered. Remember that no QR code is needed to receive money, and no UPI PIN has to be entered.

The fourth is the fake delivery and refund scam. Fraudsters send fake messages saying your order has been cancelled or your parcel will not arrive on time. The message may ask you to change the delivery time, or may carry a link to claim a refund. After you click such a link, you may be asked to enter bank details. Fraudsters can use the information you provide to defraud you.

The fifth is fake cashback and gifts. During Diwali, people can be targeted with the lure of prize offers, special shopping bonuses or cashback. In the name of delivering these rewards, fraudsters may ask people to click certain links, fill in fake forms or pay a processing fee.