Russians told how to spot online scammers 07:59

If an online seller sends you a link to pay for an item, they are most likely a scammer and you should stop contacting them. Viktor Ievlev, head of the information security department of the Garda group of companies, told socialbites.ca about this and several other signs of fraudulent sellers who are becoming more active online in the pre-New Year sales season.

According to the expert, fraudsters resort to various schemes to deceive citizens. They often try to bypass the rules of the market and transfer the conversation with the buyer to a third-party messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber), where the victim is offered to make a “safe” transaction or install an application for this. .

“Fraudsters often gain access to victims’ money by sending fake links to instant messengers to pay for goods. Communication outside the site is in most cases prohibited by the rules of the marketplaces to protect against such threats,” said Ievlev.

Recommended apps are often spyware that steals bank card data and codes from incoming SMS. This way, attackers can access recipient accounts and steal money.

“Another scheme: When completing a transaction, the seller declares that the goods are out of stock. He offers to return the money, but to do so he sends the victim a link to a phishing site. “The bank card data that the user enters on such a site is used by attackers to steal money,” Ievlev added.

Finally, phishing sites remain valid. Attackers create fake web resources that reliably mimic any known marketplace by design and domain name. When trying to buy something from a fake website, the victim is actually giving their personal data and banking information to the scammers.

The main signs of a fake marketplace are below market prices for goods, vague descriptions of products, requests from company representatives to transfer money or provide personal data.

Previously at the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs warned About the revival of the Mammoth fraud scheme.