How to recognize scammers on the Internet and not become their victim?

If an online seller sends you a link to pay for a product, then he is most likely a scammer and you should stop communicating with him, Viktor Ievlev, head of the information security department of the Garda group of companies, told Gazeta.Ru, how to recognize online scammers who are active during the pre-Christmas online sales season.

According to the expert, fraudsters use different schemes to deceive citizens. They often try to bypass market rules 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 it.

"Fraudsters often get access to victims' funds by sending fake links in messengers in order to pay for products. In most cases, communication outside the site is prohibited by market rules to protect against such threats," said Ievlev.

The recommended applications are usually spyware programs that steal bank card details and codes from incoming SMS messages. This allows attackers to access buyer accounts and steal money.

"There is another scheme. The seller declares that the product is out of stock at the end of the transaction and offers a refund, but sends the victim a link to a phishing website to do so. The bank card data, which the user enters on such a website, is used by attackers to steal money," added Ievlev.

Finally, phishing sites remain relevant. Attackers create fake web resources whose design and domain name reliably imitates any popular online marketplace. When the victim tries to buy something on the fake website, he actually gives his personal information and bank details to the scammers.

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