Festive Season Scams to Beware Of

However, unsavoury elements exploit this time of joy and celebration and try to pull off all kinds of scams. They know that people are anxious to buy the right things and looking for discounts and deals, which many brands do offer.

As you celebrate the festivities, keep an eye out for these scams that are common around this time.

Discounts are one of the most common marketing tactics. Everyone enjoys receiving one and it makes customers much more likely to buy something. However, if a discount which seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is. High-end phones being sold for a thousand rupees are one example. The supposed sellers disappear after they are paid for the product or service they advertised.

You may across a website that is selling goods, often at suspiciously low rates. It looks like a legitimate website, with dedicated sections and good user experience. The website URL may look similar to that of an established website however, will often have missing or unnecessary characters. When payment is made on these sites, no product is ever delivered.

Several people online will promote cashback offers with very high amounts and instantly. This catches people’s attention and they often pay in the hope of receiving that money. But the money never comes.

In general, phishing is a common form of fraud. Scammers send links through various mediums. It generally comes with a message that the recipient has won something which entices them to click on it. When they click on that link, their device gets compromised, with the fraudster gaining access to their banking details.

Especially ahead of Dhanteras, interest in buying gold surges. Gold has immense importance in Indian culture, and during the festive season, lots of people want to buy it as quickly as possible. Fraudsters will often take advantage of this excitement and sell counterfeit jewellery or take advances for gold and then disappear.

Be wary during the festive season and ensure you verify everything before you buy. Don’t be in a rush to make any purchasing decision. This way you will be able to have a joyous festive season, free of unnecessary tension.