Safe Online Shopping: How to Avoid Fraud

Online shopping has become a common way for many to purchase goods and gifts, yet along with convenience come risks. Cybercriminals are constantly improving their schemes, making it essential to know how to secure your money and personal information.

To avoid falling victim to scams while shopping online, follow these simple yet effective rules:

Choose cash on delivery. Scammers often sell non-existent products at enticing prices. Their goal is to collect a deposit from you, after which they disappear.

Check market prices. Criminals create fake pages of popular stores and offer "exclusive" discounts. If a deal seems too good compared to other sellers, it's a reason to be cautious.

Verify links. Do not click on suspicious links from emails, social media, or messengers. Scammers create phishing sites that visually mimic legitimate stores. Pay attention to the URL — even a slight difference can indicate a forgery. It's also crucial that the site uses the secure HTTPS protocol.

Do not enter payment information on unfamiliar sites. Before making a payment, check the store's reputation: read reviews and look for information on independent resources. If the platform offers payment after receiving the product, take advantage of this option.

Never share your card details with third parties. Your card number, CVV code, and one-time confirmation codes from the bank are keys to your funds. Bank employees will never ask for this information.

Use a separate card for online payments. Load it directly before making a purchase to reduce the risk of losing funds if your data is compromised.

Ensure you have 3D Secure enabled. This technology provides an extra verification step when paying online. However, the store must also support it — if the platform does not require payment confirmation, it could be a red flag.

Avoid making payments through public Wi-Fi networks. Open networks may be compromised, allowing criminals to intercept confidential information.

Check QR codes in public places. Criminals may place QR codes in public areas that lead to fake sites. Always verify the URL after scanning and avoid QR codes from unknown sources.

For additional payment security tips, visit the website of the National Bank of Ukraine.

Stay cautious — and your online shopping will be safe!

Department of Cyber Police of the National Police of Ukraine