Der Blog für digitale Kompetenz

Der Blog für digitale Kompetenz

How you recognize fake shops on the internet

The online trade continues to grow steadily for years, and has long stopped at national borders.

This way you can conveniently shop goods from all over the world from home and have them delivered to your doorstep. Only what happens if the goods never arrive, and you get instead an unpleasant letter from customs, because goods must be post taxed, or was confiscated for other reasons?

Or by the supposedly trusted dealer will never ship goods. Then the anger is great, and the chances to come to his right rather small. In this article we clarify which features you should look out for online shops.

This is how you recognize fake shops on the Internet

Topic Overview

Anzeige

How you recognize fake shops on the internet

The online trade continues to grow steadily for years, and has long stopped at national borders.

This way you can conveniently shop goods from all over the world from home and have them delivered to your doorstep. Only what happens if the goods never arrive, and you get instead an unpleasant letter from customs, because goods must be post taxed, or was confiscated for other reasons?

Or by the supposedly trusted dealer will never ship goods. Then the anger is great, and the chances to come to his right rather small. In this article we clarify which features you should look out for online shops.

This is how you recognize fake shops on the Internet

Topic Overview

Anzeige

1. Pay attention to security features of known shops

1. Pay attention to security features of known shops

If you are looking for a specific product, either go directly to the address bar of your browser and enter the URL (which is the safest way), or you can search for the best price through one of the popular search engines.

In general, fake shops have a rather poor search engine ranking, so you have to go down quite a bit in the results list to get straight to those sites. However, there are countless affiliate sites that attract users with product reviews.

The one then clicks on it is quite understandable, if you get besides the best price also a more or less detailed product test included. Unfortunately, it is often the case that this is the first step into the unknown. For more and more often, the operators of such sites do not even sit in the EU, but camouflage themselves with the local language.

The product tests you find there are very often stolen by really trusted portals to fake seriousness. And the links with which you come to the product then point to a well-known online shop, which was again faked.

  • URLs with trusted content always start with https: //, providing encrypted transmission.
  • Make sure that the URL always starts with the actual domain name of the website (eg: https://amazon.de = Safe/ http://shop.amazon.de = Fake)
  • Pay attention to the spelling of the page (the known shops are usually translated all without errors)
  • At the least uncertainties, you leave the page again, and go again directly by entering the URL in the address bar on the page

Sometimes it’s just little things that are different from the original URL. So it could be e.g. Also called https://amason.de.

Everything seems right at first glance. Because you have made an SSL certificate here, and exchanged only a single letter. This is not noticeable when surfing swiftly.

Advertisement

As you can see, the devil is sometimes really in the details.

It’s best to either enter the URL directly from the address bar of your browser, or set it as a bookmark.

If you are looking for a specific product, either go directly to the address bar of your browser and enter the URL (which is the safest way), or you can search for the best price through one of the popular search engines.

In general, fake shops have a rather poor search engine ranking, so you have to go down quite a bit in the results list to get straight to those sites. However, there are countless affiliate sites that attract users with product reviews.

The one then clicks on it is quite understandable, if you get besides the best price also a more or less detailed product test included. Unfortunately, it is often the case that this is the first step into the unknown. For more and more often, the operators of such sites do not even sit in the EU, but camouflage themselves with the local language.

The product tests you find there are very often stolen by really trusted portals to fake seriousness. And the links with which you come to the product then point to a well-known online shop, which was again faked.

  • URLs with trusted content always start with https: //, providing encrypted transmission.
  • Make sure that the URL always starts with the actual domain name of the website (eg: https://amazon.de = Safe/ http://shop.amazon.de = Fake)
  • Pay attention to the spelling of the page (the known shops are usually translated all without errors)
  • At the least uncertainties, you leave the page again, and go again directly by entering the URL in the address bar on the page

Sometimes it’s just little things that are different from the original URL. So it could be e.g. Also called https://amason.de.

Everything seems right at first glance. Because you have made an SSL certificate here, and exchanged only a single letter. This is not noticeable when surfing swiftly.

Advertisement

As you can see, the devil is sometimes really in the details.

It’s best to either enter the URL directly from the address bar of your browser, or set it as a bookmark.

2. Security features at unknown shops

2. Security features at unknown shops

Well buys you can not find everything you’re looking for at the major online retailers, but also meets a rather unknown shop.

And that’s basically not as negative, but you should take a closer look, instead of clicking too fast on “buy”.

  • Look no matter in which language the page is written in the imprint (Missing this, is difficult to find or incomplete it says “Hands off” The imprint must be reached from any subpage with a maximum of 2 clicks.)
  • Does the company have its headquarters outside the EU pay attention (more than usual) to the terms and conditions (Although this is tedious, but can protect against anger.)
  • Google the shop. (For example, “Experience + Shop XYZ”) In the case of unsafe shops, you often find messages from damaged customers.
  • Pay attention to whether the shop decorates exceptionally often with quality seals (If so, then each of these seals should be clicked on and refer to the publisher of the security certificate eg Trusted Shops.If the seal of approval is only inserted as a picture on the page, should here again the alarm bells ring with you.)
  • Please take a look at the privacy page (If this is missing, or is kept very short and concise here also something wrong, since this must be since 25.05.2018 DSGVO compliant, and is usually quite long.)
  • Do not be put under pressure (Ex: Only 3 pieces left / Buy now, or any counters with available quantities.) If such a thing is there, then the store does not work at all, and it is tried so fast To sell goods!

Trustworthy seal of quality
(click to enlarge)

Vertrauenswuerdiges Guetesiegel
cshow
Ads
Kauf auch du bei der Nummer 1!
Anzeige

Note:

Especially with shops that are located outside the EU, you should study the terms exactly. Partly, these dealers try to pass on the import sales tax to the end customer, which is the reason why the goods are so cheap.

Also plagiarized brands are often offered here, which of course pushes the price properly again.

The customs has every year to destroy tons of counterfeit products that come into the country. So if the price of a product in Germany is e.g. 1.000 EURO, and you get it at an online retailer for 500 EURO, then there is something wrong!

Well buys you can not find everything you’re looking for at the major online retailers, but also meets a rather unknown shop.

And that’s basically not as negative, but you should take a closer look, instead of clicking too fast on “buy”.

  • Look no matter in which language the page is written in the imprint (Missing this, is difficult to find or incomplete it says “Hands off” The imprint must be reached from any subpage with a maximum of 2 clicks.)
  • Does the company have its headquarters outside the EU pay attention (more than usual) to the terms and conditions (Although this is tedious, but can protect against anger.)
  • Google the shop. (For example, “Experience + Shop XYZ”) In the case of unsafe shops, you often find messages from damaged customers.
  • Pay attention to whether the shop decorates exceptionally often with quality seals (If so, then each of these seals should be clicked on and refer to the publisher of the security certificate eg Trusted Shops.If the seal of approval is only inserted as a picture on the page, should here again the alarm bells ring with you.)
  • Please take a look at the privacy page (If this is missing, or is kept very short and concise here also something wrong, since this must be since 25.05.2018 DSGVO compliant, and is usually quite long.)
  • Do not be put under pressure (Ex: Only 3 pieces left / Buy now, or any counters with available quantities.) If such a thing is there, then the store does not work at all, and it is tried so fast To sell goods!

Trustworthy seal of quality

Vertrauenswuerdiges Guetesiegel
cshow
Ads

Note:

Especially with shops that are located outside the EU, you should study the terms exactly. Partly, these dealers try to pass on the import sales tax to the end customer, which is the reason why the goods are so cheap.

Also plagiarized brands are often offered here, which of course pushes the price properly again.

The customs has every year to destroy tons of counterfeit products that come into the country. So if the price of a product in Germany is e.g. 1.000 EURO, and you get it at an online retailer for 500 EURO, then there is something wrong!

3. Payment and delivery

3. Payment and delivery

If everything is ok with the online shop, the point of payment and the delivery comes.

The terms of payment are (at least for shops in Germany) so that at least 2 different payment methods must be offered. If this is not the case, or if only payment methods are offered that are rather uncommon in Germany (for example, unknown payment service providers), one should also be suspicious.

The same applies to delivery services that do not offer shipment tracking. This is now at a e.g. USB cable certainly not necessarily synonymous, since these are sent as a correspondence, but very well for parcels that make sense from a certain value of goods, of course, purely purely for insurance reasons.

cshow
Ads

Conclusion:

Just be suspicious, and do not run after every offer, because the price seems unbeatable. Especially if an offer sounds too good to be true, it is often not. Take your time and examine the offers carefully.

Because nobody has anything to give away, but there are good offers where everything is alright.

Blogverzeichnis Bloggerei.de

If everything is ok with the online shop, the point of payment and the delivery comes.

The terms of payment are (at least for shops in Germany) so that at least 2 different payment methods must be offered. If this is not the case, or if only payment methods are offered that are rather uncommon in Germany (for example, unknown payment service providers), one should also be suspicious.

The same applies to delivery services that do not offer shipment tracking. This is now at a e.g. USB cable certainly not necessarily synonymous, since these are sent as a correspondence, but very well for parcels that make sense from a certain value of goods, of course, purely purely for insurance reasons.

cshow
Ads

Conclusion:

Just be suspicious, and do not run after every offer, because the price seems unbeatable. Especially if an offer sounds too good to be true, it is often not. Take your time and examine the offers carefully.

Because nobody has anything to give away, but there are good offers where everything is alright.

Blogverzeichnis Bloggerei.de

Search for other topics:

About the Author:

Michael W. Suhr
Michael W. SuhrDipl. Betriebswirt | Webdesign- und Beratung | Office Training
After 20 years in logistics, I turned my hobby, which has accompanied me since the mid-1980s, into a profession, and have been working as a freelancer in web design, web consulting and Microsoft Office since the beginning of 2015. On the side, I write articles for more digital competence in my blog as far as time allows.

Search by category:

Search for other topics:

About the Author:

Michael W. Suhr
Michael W. SuhrDipl. Betriebswirt | Webdesign- und Beratung | Office Training
After 20 years in logistics, I turned my hobby, which has accompanied me since the mid-1980s, into a profession, and have been working as a freelancer in web design, web consulting and Microsoft Office since the beginning of 2015. On the side, I write articles for more digital competence in my blog as far as time allows.

Search by category:

Popular Posts:

102, 2024

Integrate and use ChatGPT in Excel – is that possible?

February 1st, 2024|Categories: Artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Shorts & Tutorials|Tags: , , , |

ChatGPT is more than just a simple chatbot. Learn how it can revolutionize how you work with Excel by translating formulas, creating VBA macros, and even promising future integration with Office.

2008, 2023

Internet Addiction – A serious look at a growing problem

August 20th, 2023|Categories: Google, Homeoffice, Shorts & Tutorials|Tags: , , |

Internet addiction is just as serious an illness as alcohol or drug addiction. Just that this is a mental illness. In this article we want to go into the phenomenon in more detail and provide assistance.

607, 2023

Main keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10/11

July 6th, 2023|Categories: Homeoffice, Microsoft Office, Shorts & Tutorials, Windows 10/11/12|Tags: |

Entdecken Sie die wichtigsten Shortcuts in Windows 11, um Ihre Produktivität zu steigern. Von allgemeinen Befehlen bis hin zu spezifischen Fenster-Management- und System-Shortcuts, lernen Sie, wie Sie mit diesen Tastenkombinationen effizienter arbeiten können.

107, 2023

Encrypt USB stick – These options are available

July 1st, 2023|Categories: Shorts & Tutorials, Data Protection, Hardware, Homeoffice, Mac OS, Windows 10/11/12|Tags: , , |

Protecting sensitive data is essential. Encrypting USB sticks provides an extra layer of security. Whether it's built-in software, operating system features, third-party software, or hardware encryption, there are numerous options.

Spring Specials 2024: Word & Excel Templates

Special Offers 2023: Word Design CV-Templates

Monthly Technique Bestsellers:

Bestseller 2022-2023 WLAN-Heizkoerperthermostate

SmartHome | Energy & Security

SmartHome | Energy & Security

Bestseller 2022-2023 WLAN-Heizkoerperthermostate
Bestseller 2022-2023 Notebooks

PC & Accessoires

PC & Accessoires

Bestseller 2022-2023 Notebooks
Bestseller 2022-2023 Smartphones

Smartphone & Accessoires

Smartphone & Accessoires

Bestseller 2022-2023 Smartphones

Popular Posts:

102, 2024

Integrate and use ChatGPT in Excel – is that possible?

February 1st, 2024|Categories: Artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Shorts & Tutorials|Tags: , , , |

ChatGPT is more than just a simple chatbot. Learn how it can revolutionize how you work with Excel by translating formulas, creating VBA macros, and even promising future integration with Office.

2008, 2023

Internet Addiction – A serious look at a growing problem

August 20th, 2023|Categories: Google, Homeoffice, Shorts & Tutorials|Tags: , , |

Internet addiction is just as serious an illness as alcohol or drug addiction. Just that this is a mental illness. In this article we want to go into the phenomenon in more detail and provide assistance.

607, 2023

Main keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10/11

July 6th, 2023|Categories: Homeoffice, Microsoft Office, Shorts & Tutorials, Windows 10/11/12|Tags: |

Entdecken Sie die wichtigsten Shortcuts in Windows 11, um Ihre Produktivität zu steigern. Von allgemeinen Befehlen bis hin zu spezifischen Fenster-Management- und System-Shortcuts, lernen Sie, wie Sie mit diesen Tastenkombinationen effizienter arbeiten können.

107, 2023

Encrypt USB stick – These options are available

July 1st, 2023|Categories: Shorts & Tutorials, Data Protection, Hardware, Homeoffice, Mac OS, Windows 10/11/12|Tags: , , |

Protecting sensitive data is essential. Encrypting USB sticks provides an extra layer of security. Whether it's built-in software, operating system features, third-party software, or hardware encryption, there are numerous options.

Spring Specials 2024: Word & Excel Templates

Special Offers 2023: Word Design CV-Templates

Monthly Technique Bestsellers:

Bestseller 2022-2023 WLAN-Heizkoerperthermostate

SmartHome | Energy & Security

SmartHome | Energy & Security

Bestseller 2022-2023 WLAN-Heizkoerperthermostate
Bestseller 2022-2023 Notebooks

PC & Accessoires

PC & Accessoires

Bestseller 2022-2023 Notebooks
Bestseller 2022-2023 Smartphones

Smartphone & Accessoires

Smartphone & Accessoires

Bestseller 2022-2023 Smartphones

Title

Ads

Popular Posts:

Search by category:

Autumn Specials:

Anzeige
Go to Top