Tips to avoid online scams and shop safely

Sales have started, although the official date of Black Friday 2024 will be November 29, Italians (and not only) have already started clicking and buying both online and in physical stores. A great opportunity for shoppers looking for super deals, especially with Christmas gifting just around the corner. Black Friday 2024: All the deals you can’t miss: Amazon TVs -80% off, Zara blazers -40% off, Iphone 16 Pro from MediaWord and Dyson V from Unieuro. “Among SMS, emails and messages that invite you to click on unknown links or report packages never ordered or fake offers at reduced prices, scams are always around the corner,” warns U.Di.Con (Union for Consumer Protection) , which offers some tips for shopping safely, especially online, to avoid potential scams. Black Friday 2024: Here’s how to avoid scams. How to take advantage of Black Friday 2024 promotions and avoid falling for scammers? U.Di.Con’s guide “to shopping securely, recognizing and protecting against online scams, identifying phishing attempts via email, phone, SMS or social media spam, and taking a more relaxed approach to online shopping.” Pay attention to email and SMS. Never open links contained in emails or SMS messages that require you to enter personal or banking information, especially if it is urgent. “Banks and trusted companies will never ask you for this information or change the PIN or messages of packages being sent. No company will send messages from unknown or anonymous numbers without specifying shipment numbers and order numbers. Look out for grammatical errors or blurry logos as these can also be signs of online scams.” Payment and delivery methods. Absolutely avoid direct bank transfers unless you know the seller. Use secure and traceable payment methods. Also make sure that delivery times are reasonable and do not exceed 30 days. Seller’s reliability. The e-commerce business you are purchasing from should always be verified by looking for reviews, reviews or other comments left on various platforms by other consumers. Always check that the site is secure by using the padlock symbol and the “https” designation next to the URL, as well as company information such as VAT number, address and seller contact form. They also emphasize that the seller is not obliged to make an exchange if the product is not defective. So if you are not sure about the product, do not proceed with the purchase. Beware of fake discounts. Before purchasing a discounted product, it is advisable to always check the actual selling price and therefore check whether the discount claimed by the seller is real. Never connect to public Wi-Fi to shop. Do not use public Wi-Fi networks to make transactions, even in secure payment schemes. Always use a secure network! Always be aware of the latest scams. Check the website of the Postal Police or consumer associations, which provide regular updates on ongoing scams and advice on how to avoid them.