E-commerce giants like Flipkart and Amazon have officially launched their festive sales, with events like the Big Billion Days Sale and the Great Indian Festival offering deep discounts on everything from premium smartphones like the latest iPhone 17 series and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 to home appliances and accessories. As millions of shoppers flood these online platforms to snag deals, a dark side of the digital shopping spree is also emerging: a rise in fraudulent activities. Scammers are leveraging the urgency and high volume of transactions during this period to trick unsuspecting consumers.
How to protect from being scammed during festive sales:
The OTP Ploy: A prevalent scam involves fraudsters impersonating delivery agents or customer service representatives. They spin a tale about a delivery issue or a payment verification problem and then insist on an OTP. “Once the caller shares the code, the criminals manage to get control over your account which they use to initiate unauthorised transactions,” warns a cybersecurity expert. This can grant them access to stored payment details, leading to siphoned funds.
Fake Delivery Calls: Another common tactic is the fake delivery call during festive sales. Scammers contact buyers, claiming their order couldn’t be delivered, and ask for personal information or a small “rescheduling fee.” During a season when multiple orders are placed, “they end up believing it to be a call for their order,” explains a consumer protection advocate. These scams aim to steal sensitive data and misuse banking credentials.
Phishing Traps: Phishing remains a major threat. Scammers send malicious SMS, WhatsApp messages, or emails that mimic official e-commerce communications, complete with links to fraudulent websites. These sites are designed to look identical to legitimate portals. When users enter their login credentials or credit card details, their information is immediately compromised.
Social Media Scams: Social media is a new hunting ground for scammers. They use attractive ads on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, promising massive discounts on high-demand products like iPhones. “Once you initiate the purchase and transfer the money, the scammers remove the pages and vanish with your money,” a police cyber-crime unit spokesperson confirms. These fraudulent ads lead to fake sellers who never deliver the product.
To stay safe, consumers are advised to be vigilant for red flags such as unsolicited requests for OTPs, PINs, or passwords. Legitimate platforms will never ask for such details. Shoppers should also double-check website URLs for spelling errors and ensure they are on official sites starting with “https://”. Using strong, unique passwords and avoiding public Wi-Fi for online transactions are also crucial steps to protect against these growing threats.
