Currently, after more than a year has passed since we faced the whole issue of Coronavirus and where the whole world had to be in confinement, as citizens and companies we have been assuming the challenge of making the most of technological tools, offering support and security for businesses and users. At Evertec as a technology company, we have it clear.
In addition, it is very important to educate the generations more familiar with virtual channels. And sadly, as new transaction options and forms of processing emerge that facilitate digital operations, so are forms of fraud and scams through digital channels.
Some of the most popular forms of cyber fraud are
- Phishing: impersonation of users to steal keys.
- Hoax: false notifications through chains or mass mailings.
- Ransomware: extortion messages asking for money to unlock information on electronic devices.
- Smishing: Fraudulent URLs sent by text messages or emails where you are invited to click on a link.
- Keyloggers: spyware that records everything that is done from the device.
- Pharming: redirection from a safe and common site to a fraudulent one to steal data.
It is our duty, as players in the e-commerce industry, to offer comprehensive and timely information to users so that they are aware of these new forms of fraud that have been growing in recent weeks to take advantage of the vulnerability of many.
Main recommendations to avoid electronic fraud
- Always make digital payments on certified and trustworthy sites.
- Delete or skip suspicious emails or text messages and from unknown recipients.
- Do not open links from sites that invite you to click with slogans such as rewards or blocking alert.
- Update the antivirus and antispyware.
- Verify that the pages have the security padlock icon before entering personal data in the forms to carry out transactions and beware of ads with suspiciously low prices.
The current challenge is to carry out all operations from secure and certified platforms, in formal and widely known businesses, which provide guarantees and give greater security to businesses and users.
In the same way, it is essential to consult official sources and go directly to the pages of the businesses to have the information verified first-hand.
Other tips to buy safely online
You are never too cautious when it comes to avoiding fraud and money loss. Therefore, here are 8 more tips that can help you buy safely on the web:
- Use your personal computer to make purchases
The best way to protect your bank details when buying online is to always carry out transactions on your own computer. In any case, if you have no choice, never accept forms that encourage you to save your data or passwords. Make sure you always clear your history and that no one is around watching what you do on the screen.
- Have a special card for online purchases
A good idea to protect your data and, in addition, increase security during your online purchases, is to have a separate card only to carry out transactions over the Internet. In this way, if something happened during the process, or they kept the numbers, you would not have all your money in danger.
- Use digital payment platforms
If you are afraid that your bank details will be stolen or that they will be misused, it is best that all your purchases are made through online payment platforms like ours. These services will protect your data and give you the option to buy with complete confidence and security, in addition to protecting you against fraud or misleading advertising.
- Save invoices and receipts
As you should do every time you buy a product in a physical store, we recommend that you always save all the movements and transactions you make when buying online, with the description and price of the product, as well as the date and details of the seller or store . Also save all the emails you exchange with the seller, at least until you receive the item or service and see that everything is in perfect condition.
- Report fraud
If you have been the victim of an online scam or fraud, the main thing is that you report it to the responsible entities. Thus, they will be able to take the appropriate measures so that this does not happen again. In any case, we advise you to try to resolve the problem with the seller before taking this step. Believe it or not, most of the time it is the store itself that is willing to find a solution.
- Buy on trusted pages
Do not buy from a site that does not inspire confidence. This is essential because in addition to being scammed, we can suffer problems in the form of malware or viruses. Before buying, check the Internet for information about the page, comments from other users, reviews, see information about the product you are buying, etc.
- Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
In case we are going to make a purchase from a network that we do not control, it would be convenient to use a VPN. In this way our data is more secure and we avoid possible leaks. This applies both when buying online and when accessing any online service.
- Activate the added security option on your credit card
Many credit cards have an extra security option that may not be activated by default. In addition to that added security, some banks also have their own certification systems that work in place of SecureCode and Verified by Visa. This could be a one-time PIN code being sent to your phone. Check with your bank or financial institution to see what options they have available.
Today we are more connected than ever, so we must be very careful with the information shared on the web and do everything possible to protect our customers.
Merchants are faced with a great challenge: to provide peace of mind and security to their customers and do everything possible to help them get what they need without hassle or failure.
The challenge is for everyone: for users who must become familiar with new channels and ways of paying, and for those of us who are part of this industry, who must offer support, security and innovation permanently and in accordance with the needs of the public.