By Sabiu Abdullahi
As Black Friday approaches, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a cautionary alert regarding a potential surge in fake online stores, with intelligence suggesting a possible increase of up to 135%.
The day after Thanksgiving has historically seen an uptick in fraudulent activities targeting holiday shoppers, prompting the FCCPC to advise consumers to exercise heightened vigilance during this period.
Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC, emphasized the need for caution, stating, “There are unscrupulous individuals taking advantage of the Black Friday shopping spree to prey on unsuspecting consumers.”
Irukera urged consumers to exclusively patronize trusted and credible online platforms to mitigate the risk of falling victim to scams.
To safeguard against fake online stores, the FCCPC recommends the following
- precautions: Shop on Trusted Websites: Only make purchases from websites with a known and reliable reputation. Conduct research to verify the legitimacy of unfamiliar sites.
- Beware of Unrealistic Prices: Exercise caution when encountering online stores offering products at prices that seem too good to be true. Fraudulent websites often use enticing discounts to lure unsuspecting customers.
- Verify the Security Certificate: Check for a security certificate, indicated by a lock icon in the address bar, to ensure the authenticity and security of the website.
- Read Terms and Conditions: Thoroughly review a website’s terms and conditions, specifically focusing on the return and refund policies, to understand the platform’s commitment to consumer protection.