The lure of cheap offers can be overwhelming, is it a fake shopping app?

Fake Apps Online Fraud Alert: Online shopping apps have made shopping easier than ever. Now every kind of goods from fashion, grocery to electronics reaches home in just a few clicks. But as fast as digital shopping has increased, cases of cyber fraud are also coming to light. Many times cyber criminals trap people by creating fake shopping apps that look absolutely real. In such cases, not only the user’s personal data is at risk, but money can also go missing from the bank account. Therefore, it has become very important to identify fake shopping apps.

Why are fake shopping apps made?

Fake shopping apps look similar to big e-commerce companies, but their purpose is not to sell goods. The real purpose of these apps is to steal users’ credit card details, log-in ID, password and banking information. In many cases, these apps also install malware in the mobile, which gives complete control over the phone. Usually such apps are downloaded through social media links, fake advertisements or messages.

Be alert of attractive offers

The biggest hallmark of fake shopping apps is their unusual discount offers. Many times these apps show huge discounts of 70 to 90 percent. To ensure that the user does not get time to think, a countdown timer is also installed on these offers. Remember, an offer that is too cheap is often a sign of fraud.

Asking for unnecessary permission is an alarm bell

Fake apps ask for such permissions from the user, which the shopping app does not require. Like full access to contacts, location or files. If you give such permission, it can be used to steal data or track the user.

Pay attention to spelling and design

Genuine and trustworthy apps don’t have spelling mistakes, poor graphics, or poor design. Whereas fake apps often come with spelling mistakes, blurry images and weak design, because they are prepared in a hurry.

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If you don’t have secure checkout, stop.

Genuine shopping apps keep payment details secure through encryption. Whereas fake apps redirect you to an unsecured web page at the time of payment. Never pay on such pages.