Internet shopping has simplified and made it seamless for customers to visit an online retail store, browse through its products, and make a purchase with just a few clicks. With simplicity, however, comes greater challenges. The biggest issue with online shopping is its security. Over a thousand Indian consumers have already reported online shopping scams on social media this year.
The story
This is the story of Sowmiya living in Salem. Sowmiya ordered 11 shirts from an e-commerce shop called Dhitya Fashion. He was asked to pay Rs.4220/- through Google Pay in advance to the Dhitiya Fashion’s WhatsApp group admin, Sasikala, who guaranteed delivery of his order.
After several days, Sowmiya checked up on his order and asked Sasikala for tracking information, but he did not receive any response. As Sowmiya regularly messaged them, asking Sasikala to update him on his order, she either started making excuses or did not respond at all. After a month, when Sowmiya asked for a refund as he did not receive his order, she removed him from the WhatsApp group and blocked him. As a result, his only choice was to share his experience on social media.
How to stay safe from fake sellers on social media?
1. Find out ways in which the seller can be verified - is contact information listed, check the comment section carefully before buying from any social media pages.
2. Why is the seller asking for Advance Payment?
3. Ask the seller how you can trust them and ask for some proof.
4. Using digital escrow platforms as a payment method is preferred. When you pay through an Escrow payment system over the internet, you are not sharing your information with strangers. One such platform for escrow is Vouch.
What is digital escrow?
Digital Escrow is the use of a third party account, during a transaction, which holds the money deposited by the buyer until the seller fulfills the terms of the agreement. The transacting parties are supervised by the escrow company.
How does Digital Escrow save you from online frauds in India?
Vouch’s Digital Escrow service is transparent for buyers and sellers to build trust and secure a clean transfer of product and payment. Buyers can feel assured that they will be fairly compensated promptly, and buyers will feel confident that their order will be delivered as expected and on schedule. If you ever come across a fraudster asking for OTP, asking you to scan a QR code, or asking you to click on phishing links, you can simply say no and ask him/her to proceed with the transaction through Vouch.
Vouch Digital Escrow uses a non-interest-bearing escrow account for all transactions in India and keeps you updated and informed at every step of the transaction process till the end. Vouch’s professionals are always available to assist you with all queries that you may have during the entire transaction process. There is no scope for deceit or fraud since the payments, shipping, delivery, and execution are carried out under the honest and watchful eyes of the Vouch’s professionals. With Vouch, any business transaction becomes transparent, uncomplicated, and hassle-free.
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This is Fraud Story #68. Check back here for more fraud stories and scams that you can protect yourself from.
Safety is not just about protecting your credit or debit card number. It's about having control of your money till you've received the product or service you bought online!
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Note: This is a good-faith initiative to educate the world about avoiding frauds like these. Do you have a fraud you would like to report? Please write to us at letstalk@iamvouched.com
