Our customers are currently coming across an exceptional array of fake online stores. Fake online stores may sell anything from phones to clothes. They are trying to sell popular and well-known brands at a considerable discount.
- Fake online stores advertise especially on social media and among search engine results.
- The products being sold in fake online stores do not exist, rather the product photos have usually been copied from real online store websites.
- The website of a fake online store may have exceptionally good reviews and products that are no longer available elsewhere because of their great popularity.
- The terms for ordering and delivery are difficult to find or simple not there.
- The language can be of poor quality and the offers may be available for a very limited period.
Although the technical implementation of a fake online store may be complex, the scam itself is very simple. When an order is placed, no product is delivered and the money is gone.
A subscription trap lures people with an offer that seems too good to be true
The number of subscription traps is also on the rise. The attraction of subscription traps is usually a particularly good offer, such as a computer for one euro or a mystery box for two euros.
When the victim takes the bait and enters the payment card details, the agreed amount is charged. A few days later there is a new charge, many times bigger. And obviously nothing is delivered.
Subscription traps and fake online stores thrive on social media. Criminals buy advertising space also on search engines such as Google and Bing, meaning that you may end up in a fake online store by clicking on a search engine result.
If you click on a link of a fake online store or an amazing offer, that is, subscription trap ad, you are more likely find yourself on similar sites later as well.
Remember the following when shopping online:
- An offer that sounds too good to be true is probably exactly that.
- Always check the online store's order and delivery terms.
- Look for reviews of the online store from other users and reliable sources.
- Think whether the online store really can afford to sell the product at the price stated.
- Check whether the website includes customer service contact details and the company's domicile.
- Remember that even if the website address ends in .fi, it's no guarantee that the store even exists or is located in Finland.
Do as follows if your payment card details have fallen into the wrong hands
If you suspect that your payment card or OP user ID has fallen into the wrong hands, call OP Deactivation Service at 0100 0555. The service is open 24/7.