Beware false websites Tips for online shoppers

THE LOGO LOOKS RIGHT, THE IMAGES ARE FAMILIAR AND A LONGTERM FAVOURITE BRAND IS SUDDENLY OFFERING A SENSATIONAL 80% REDUCTION ON CURRENT SEASON STOCK. BEFORE YOU PART WITH YOUR MONEY TO PICK UP THAT ALL-TIME UNBELIEVABLE BARGAIN, JUST THINK IT THROUGH. IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT INEVITABLY IS

Words: CHRIS PARTRIDGE purchases on websites without these security measures.

IT’S ALMOST irresistible. Designer handbags at rock-bottom prices. Magical gadgets that promise to cut housework time down to half. Brand name trainers, two pairs for the price of one. And what about that beautiful handembroidered caftan available for almost nothing but only while stocks last? Promises, promises and what follows is disappointment, disappointment. Orders that never arrive. Sub-standard goods when they do. Social media comments of “nothing like the photograph” are commonplace.

Buying stuff online is a bit like shopping in an unfamiliar city - it is easy to stray into dodgy backstreets where you can be fleeced by unscrupulous dealers or even get robbed. And although you don’t face physical threats in cyberspace, online scammers can empty your bank account in a way a mugger can’t.

Luckily, following a few simple guidelines can minimise the risk. The first essential is to keep your brain in gear, remain vigilant and employ effective strategies to protect yourself. Here are some of the most effective tips to keep safe when shopping online.

For starters, only use your credit card as this prevents the vendor seeing your bank account details.

Next step – look at the contact information on the site, such as email addresses. Authentic websites provide legitimate contact information to establish trust and facilitate communication with customers. When in doubt, carefully examine the provided contact details. Scammers often use generic email addresses or free domain email providers instead of official business addresses.

To verify the legitimacy of an email address, conduct a quick internet search using the company name and domain. Legitimate businesses will usually have a professional email address associated with their website domain. If the search results don’t align with the information provided, it may be an indication of a false website.

Before making a purchase, take the time to research the company behind the website. Search for customer reviews, ratings, and testimonials from reputable sources. Look for any red flags, such as numerous complaints about counterfeit products or fraudulent practices.

You can also check if the company has a presence on social media platforms. Genuine businesses often have verified accounts with a significant following. Evaluate the engagement on their social media posts and read comments from customers. Beware of businesses with low engagement or suspicious activity.

When it comes to making a payment, keep the information you give to the vendor to a minimum. Only fill in the mandatory details - usually marked with an asterisk (*) - which will typically include the obvious stuff like the delivery address and your credit card number and expiry date. You should not have to provide security details such as your mother’s maiden name or the make of your first car to complete your purchase.

If possible, don’t set up an account with the retailer. You can often avoid this by using PayPal or logging in with your Google or Apple account.

Of course, if you intend to be a regular customer, set up an account and as you obviously trust them, allow them to save your payment details to speed up future purchases. Otherwise, don’t.

Password security is also vital. Don’t use the same password for your online accounts and your bank, PayPal, email or social media accounts, as if the website you are looking at is a hacker and they gain access to your online password they will then have access to your really important areas. If you haven’t turned on two-factor identification yet (the system whereby passwords have to be verified with a code sent to your mobile phone or email) do it now.

As the internet continues to evolve, so do the tactics employed by scammers. Staying vigilant and adopting a proactive approach is crucial when it comes to identifying false websites and protecting yourself from online scams. By scrutinising websites, verifying contact information, researching companies, and utilising trusted payment methods, you can minimise the risk of falling victim to fraudulent activities.

Remember, an extra few minutes of investigation can save you from potential financial loss and frustration in the long run.

Ideko Concept Store Lda, Edificio BIA, Avenida 5 Outubro, 8135-100 Almancil

T: 926 426 423

E: ideko.conceptstore@gmail.com

I: idekoconceptstore

Mick Jagger

In July, Rolling Stones front-man Mick Jagger celebrated his 80th birthday… and the newspapers reported that he and American dancer and choreographer Melanie Hamrick, were engaged. Melanie was sporting a diamond ring, describing it as a ‘promise’ or ‘commitment’ ring. The couple have been together since 2014 and have a six-yearold son, Deveraux. Dartford-born Mick is the classic rock singer with a love-life as colourful as his stage performances. He gave up his place at the London School of Economics in 1962 to form The Rolling Stones with Keith Richards, after meeting the fellow blues fan on a railway station. Since then, his name has been linked with some of the world’s most beautiful women, from Jean Shrimpton’s sister Chrissie and singer Marianne Faithfull in the sixties, to actress Marsha Hunt, mother of his eldest daughter Karis, human rights activist Bianca PerezMora Macias, and model Jerry Hall, mother of four of his other children – he has eight altogether! Perhaps surprisingly, he has only been married once before, to Bianca, with some dispute over whether the Hindu ceremony he shared with Jerry in 1990 was actually a legal marriage. They separated after his affair with Brazilian model Luciana Morad in 1998. The Stones are, of course, still a top concert attraction and Mick was knighted for his services to music back in 2003. He could yet surprise us all by marrying again: once, twice, three times a husband...?