Shopping online has become a daily habit among young people, but it is not without risks. Phishing, fake websites, unprotected payments, and misleading promotions are just some of the dangers that lurk behind an impulsive click. This type of fraud is becoming increasingly common, which is why Fad Juventud and Amazon have launched a campaign to teach young people how to shop more safely.
The official Amazon website reminds us that fraud is becoming increasingly difficult to detect and that it is important to continue learning how to protect ourselves. In fact, the study ‘Safe and responsible consumption. Analysis of youth behaviour’, carried out by the Reina Sofía Centre of Fad Juventud, in collaboration with Amazon, involving 1,200 young people between the ages of 15 and 29, confirms the following:
Doubts when shopping online
- 62% only shop on websites that inspire confidence and security
- 51% believe they know how to identify fraud
- 42% consider online shopping to be safe
- One in four young people use the internet as their main shopping channel
As mentioned above, to reinforce the world of online shopping among young people, Fad Juventud explains that the campaign consists of a series of short videos in which content creators Berry Berryuca, Rocío Villar and Rubén Avilés share tips:
– Berry recounts a personal experience in which, due to rushing to make a purchase, she unwittingly gave away her personal details, although she was able to resolve the issue in time.
– Avilés asks a series of questions on the street about how people shop online and explains simple tricks for purchasing products responsibly.
Key tips for avoiding online shopping scams
- Use secure passwords and don’t repeat them: You may want to consider using a password manager if you want to continue browsing smoothly while maintaining security.
- Avoid open and free WiFi networks: They have no protection, so cybercriminals can intercept transferred data, including credit card numbers and passwords.
- Be careful with phishing emails: These lead to unsafe websites and can collect personal data. Also watch out for phishing via SMS or messages on social media.
- Fraudulent advertisements, websites and applications can be difficult to detect: When downloading a new application or visiting an unfamiliar site, read customer reviews to verify it before trusting it.
- Do not click on links to supposed offers: Instead, go directly to the source of the advertisement by typing the web address into your browser. Enter discount codes at checkout to check that they are legitimate.
- Attackers create sites that mimic those of well-known brands: This allows them to take advantage of their image and consumer trust. Be wary of these websites, as they may sell counterfeit (or even non-existent) products, be infected with malware, and steal credentials.