Online shopping has grown exponentially in recent years, bringing not only convenience but also variety to consumers. However, along with this growth, the risks of fraud have also increased. According to a recent study by Silverguard , 58% of consumers under 18 have already fallen victim to scams involving fake online stores. This alarming data reinforces the need for greater awareness and security in online shopping, both for consumers and e-commerce retailers.
HOW DO FAKE ONLINE STORE SCAMS WORK?
Online shopping fraud occurs in various ways, but generally, criminals create fake pages that mimic legitimate e-commerce sites. These fake stores typically:
- Offer discounts extremely attractive, but often well below market value, to attract attention and attract victims;
- Using images and descriptions copied from trusted stores;
- Require advance payment, mainly via Pix or bank slip, which makes possible refunds difficult;
- Not delivering the product or sending different and low-quality items;
- Disappear quickly, erasing all evidence.
With the popularization of Pix (Brazil's instant payment system) and the increasing digitalization of commerce, these scams have become even more sophisticated. Furthermore, many consumers, especially younger ones, still lack the experience to identify fraud and, therefore, end up being easy targets.
WHO ARE THE MAIN VICTIMS?
Data from the same Silverguard study indicates that younger consumers are the most likely to fall victim to fake store scams. See the detailed figures below:
- Under 18 years old: 58% have already been victims;
- 18 to 29 years: 52% have already been deceived;
- 30 to 39 years: 42% have already suffered fraud;
- 40 to 49 years: 41% have already fallen for this type of scam;
- 50 to 59 years: 35% were victims;
- Over 60 years: 18% were harmed by fake online stores.
This scenario makes it clear that younger consumers, even those who grew up in the digital environment, end up being the most affected by online scams. This is because their lack of experience, combined with excessive trust in the internet, makes these users easy targets for criminals.
THE IMPACT OF FAKE ONLINE STORES ON E-COMMERCE
Fraud affects not only consumers, but also legitimate online retailers. Many legitimate online stores suffer from the distrust generated by these scams. After all, when a consumer falls victim to a fake store scam, they may become hesitant to buy online again, which directly impacts sales in the sector.
Furthermore, honest retailers can be mistaken for fraudulent companies, especially if they use marketplaces or sales channels similar to those of criminals. Therefore, it is essential to adopt practices that increase the credibility of e-commerce, such as:
- have a website safe and professional, preferably with your own domain and SSL certificate (“https”);
- Make information available clear and verifiable about the company, such as CNPJ and address;
- Offer secure payment methods, including credit cards and trusted gateways;
- build a good reputation in "Reclame Aqui" and on social networks;
- Create detailed product pages, with original photos and descriptions.
HOW CAN CONSUMERS PROTECT THEMSELVES?
To avoid falling for scams from fake online stores, consumers should adopt some essential practices:
- Always check the store URL: Scammers often create addresses that look very similar to real stores. Therefore, always check the domain before finalizing a purchase.
- Be wary of offers that are too good to be true: If a product has a much greater discount than the market price, this is a strong indication of a scam.
- Research the store's reputation: check reviews on "Reclame Aqui" and social networks before purchasing.
- Avoid payments via Pix or advance payment slip: If possible, give preference to payment methods that offer consumer protection, such as credit cards.
- Check if the company is trustworthy: see if there is a CNPJ, contact telephone number and physical address available on the website.
- Examine the store's social media: Trustworthy stores usually have real interactions with customers and followers.
- Observe the store's existence time: Sites that are too new may be signs of a scam.
THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN E-COMMERCE SECURITY
Fortunately, some technologies play an essential role in e-commerce security. Currently, artificial intelligence and machine learning tools are already used to detect suspicious patterns and block fraudulent transactions. Furthermore, solutions such as payment tokenization and two-step authentication contribute significantly to reducing risks for both consumers and merchants.
Companies specializing in digital security offer not only suspicious activity monitoring, but also anti-fraud solutions for retailers. This way, it is possible to create a more reliable and secure shopping environment.
CONCLUSION
The growth of e-commerce has brought many opportunities for consumers and retailers, but also challenges related to security. With 58% of young people up to the age of 18 having already fallen victim to scams from fake online stores, the need for greater awareness about online fraud is evident.
Retailers must invest in the transparency and security of their websites to convey credibility, while consumers need to adopt precautionary practices before finalizing purchases.
Want to learn more about how to protect your e-commerce business and optimize your sales? Follow the e-Plus blog and stay up-to-date on the best strategies for online stores!
