The article fraudsters always brazen: So you defend yourself against Carsten Lexa fake shops first appeared on Basic Thinking. You always stay up to date with our newsletter.
Payments often flow to an account abroad via fake shops. The ordered goods are never sent. The result is upset customers, negative ratings and a sensitive decline in sales. But how can companies and consumers protect themselves? A contribution by Carsten Lexa and guest author Rolf Claessen.
A Example From the end of last year shows how brazen fraudsters can proceed. Two fraudsters had done over 30 deceptively real fake websites on which products were offered. The perpetrators thus captured a total of 4.3 million euros from over 10,000 customers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The victims paid by bank transfer, but did not receive any goods. In the meantime, the operators of these fake shops have been sentenced to high prison terms of seven years and nine months and five years and nine months. Cases like this clarify that the danger from fraudulent online shops is omnipresent and quick action is necessary.
Report fake shops: these options have companies
If you notice that a fake shop is misusing your brand, you should react immediately. One of the first measures should be a dispute application in the German Network Information Center Be (denic). If this is given up, you can prevent the domain in question from being transferred to another person.
If it is deleted, it automatically falls to you as an applicant. At the same time, you should try to determine the identity of the domain owner. The DEIC provides special forms that brand owners can use.
Deletion of the fraudulent domain
Then it is about deleting the fraudulent domain. If the domain owner is abroad, you can ask DENIC to name an employee in Germany.
If this is not done within the given period, usually of two weeks, the domain is deleted.
However, if the owner is domestic, a warning or an injunction is useful measures. In international domains, an ADR procedure (alternative dispute resolution) can be the best option.
Securing the affected domain
There are also strategies for securing the domain. If a dispute application was made, you will receive the domain automatically as soon as it is deleted. If this is not possible, the use of so-called dropcatcher services can help to register the domain immediately after its approval.
In addition to these legal means, there are further measures to take action against fake shops. It is an often effective approach to draw the hosting provider of the fraudulent website to the illegal content. Some providers react to this and take the website off the network.
Another sensible measure is domain monitoring. With special services you can monitor new domains that contain your brand name. This allows you to react early before a fraudulent offer goes online and does damage.
Fake shops: checklist of possible measures
If you want to defend yourself against fake shops, help you these measures:
- If possible, make a dispute application.
- Verify the identity of the domain owner.
- Deletion of the domain: With a de-domain with the owner abroad, the most effective method of calling a delivery agent is. In a domain with the owner in Germany, a warning or an injunction is possible. For non-Domains with owners abroad, an ADR procedure is a test.
- Transfer or backup of the domain: If a dispute application has been made, the domain automatically falls to the applicant. If no dispute application could be made, services such as so-called dropcatchers can be used to register the domains as soon as they become free.
The biggest challenge is ultimately to recognize fake shops as such. This is often difficult for customers because the websites and the fake shops on these are regularly similar to real online shops. However, there are some hints that should arouse distrust.
Payment instructions on accounts in unusual countries such as Kazakhstan or Nigeria are particularly suspicious. Even an incomplete or even missing imprint can be a warning signal. In addition, if the prices appear too good to be true, you should become skeptical.
Report fake shops: these options have consumers
As early as 2023, the consumer center for the exposure of fake shops set up the so-called fakeshop finder. You can insert the URL of a shop into the tool and have it checked by the consumer center. You get the result in the form of a traffic light system.
But even if the consumer center assesses a shop as a trustworthy, it points out that, for example, shipping and return options and payment methods should be checked. If you discover a fake shop yourself or maybe even order there, you can also contact the consumer advice center.
The organization has one for such cases Complaint furnished. There you can leave information about dubious providers or poor products. You also have the option of reporting fake shops about the complaint tool of the.
Also the website “Consumer protection.com“Offers you a similar option. There you can report attempts to fraud online. However, you don’t just have the opportunity to report fake shops. The operators also record and examine fraudulent emails or phishing SMS. Aid is also offered for a questionable one.
Fake shops are a serious threat to online retailers because they not only do financial damage, but can also undermine trust in their own brand. It is all the more important to stay vigilant and act quickly and determined if suspected. A lot of damage can be prevented by clever prevention and quick intervention.
Also interesting:
- Report fake shops online-that’s how it works
- Fraud: “Buy without PayPal account” – hardly any protection against new mesh
- Product liability guideline: New claims for compensation for incorrect products
- Warning of smart home: Federal Network Agency advises caution when buying
The article fraudsters always brazen: So you defend yourself against Carsten Lexa fake shops first appeared on Basic Thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard.
As a Tech Industry expert, I am well aware of the constant threat that fraudsters pose to consumers, especially in the online shopping space. Fraudsters are always looking for ways to deceive and scam unsuspecting individuals, and they can be incredibly brazen in their tactics.
One of the most common ways that fraudsters operate is by setting up fake online shops that mimic legitimate retailers. These fake shops often look convincing at first glance, but upon closer inspection, there are usually red flags that indicate their fraudulent nature. For example, the website may have poor design, spelling errors, or lack of customer reviews.
To defend yourself against these fake shops, there are several steps you can take. First and foremost, be vigilant and do your research before making a purchase. Look for reviews and feedback from other customers, and double-check the legitimacy of the website by verifying their contact information and physical address.
Another important defense against fake shops is to use secure payment methods, such as credit cards or payment platforms like PayPal. These methods offer protection against fraud and make it easier to dispute charges if you do fall victim to a scam.
Lastly, if you do come across a suspicious website or shop, report it to the appropriate authorities, such as the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission. By taking action and sharing your experience, you can help prevent others from falling victim to fraudsters.
Overall, staying informed, being cautious, and taking proactive steps to protect yourself are crucial in defending against fake shops and fraudsters in the tech industry. By following these tips, you can shop online with confidence and avoid becoming a victim of online scams.
Credits