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Have you been scammed online

 

What to do if you’ve been scammed online: From reporting ads to using chargeback

1.How do you know if you have been scammed online?

If you see a price that seems too good to be true, we’re afraid it usually is. Ditto with a much-desired product that has sold out everywhere else, but curiously has become available on a website that you’ve probably never heard of. Scam sites like to lure in shoppers with bargain prices, or fake or non-existent items.

It can also be a scam if someone contacts you out of the blue, for example a cold call or an unsolicited email. Other signs include being asked for the money very quickly or to be paid in an unusual way, for example by iTunes voucher or a transfer service like MoneyGram.

2.What to do if you get scammed online

The first thing to do is stop sending money. Perhaps you’ve been asked to send a series of payments, or even set up a direct debit – as soon as you realize it’s a scam, don’t give them any more of your cash

3.How to get money back after being scammed online

This depends on where you bought the item, and how you paid. If you bought something on Amazon, and the item never turned up, you can ask the website for a refund. If it was purchased on Amazon Marketplace, you should contact the seller to find out what’s going on

4. Does PayPal refund money if you get scammed?

Yes, you can get your money back from PayPal if for example the item doesn’t arrive or match the description

5. A social media platform was involved. How should I flag it to them?

You can report an advert or sponsored post on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram by clicking on the three dots on the top-right of the post and selecting ‘Report ad’.

6. How to report scam emails

If you’ve received an email that you’re not quite sure about, or one that you are certain is a scam, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk and the National Cyber Security Centre will analyze it. Whatever you do, don’t click on any links in the email, download any attachments or reply to it.

7 How to protect yourself in future

If you’re buying on a site you haven’t used before, spend a few minutes checking everything looks genuine. Look for a proper company address, and have a sift through customer reviews on different websites. Don’t rely on the padlock symbol in the address bar – this doesn’t guarantee you’re buying from a legitimate business.

Whether you prefer to do your shopping on your phone or a laptop, it’s important to keep your devices up-to-date. Installing the latest software and app updates will help protect you. If your browser flags that it doesn’t trust a website or that it’s not secure, close the window.

Take care with links in emails and texts, especially unsolicited ones that are promoting amazing deals. If you’re unsure, go separately to the website.

Use your credit card for maximum protection. If the item cost more than £100 and less than £30,000 you can make a Section 75 claim. If you paid by debit card, you can use chargeback for any amount. Section 75 is a legal right, whereas chargeback is at the bank’s discretion, which is why paying by credit card is considered to give the best protection.

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