News

Monday 22 January 2024

Online shopping - 3 tips to avoid being scammed during sales

Peak periods of internet shopping, including black friday, cyber monday and winter/summer sales  are an opportunity for fraudsters to escalate their scams. Often in the form of fraudulent SMS or email claiming « customs fees » by impersonating the name of the administration or a carrier, their purpose is to extort your bank details, credit card codes or money via online payment sites. Find 3 practical tips to avoid being scammed when shopping online.

Check the reliability of the site on which you shop 

Before placing an order on a website, it is essential to check that the site you are going to is reliable. For this, several elements must be taken into account, including: 

  • The identity of the seller and the reputation of the website 
  • The legal notices and the general conditions of sale
  • The overall offer, especially if it is too attractive 
  • The characteristics of the product or service 
  • The photos and consumer reviews that are not always reliable
  • The origin of the site
  • The means of payment 

Check the details to check the reliability of a website 

Recognize fake customs clearance sites

Some sites may offer you to clear an item or ask you for money to do so, while having the appearance of the official customs website. If this happens, do not provide personal information and do not pay. These websites have no legal authority to do so (and no way to know if your package really needs to be cleared).

Indeed, fake "customs" sites are present on the internet. If you see a website called "douane-gouv.net", "douane-gouve.net" or similar, do not use it! This is a fraudulent site. The websites of the French administration all end in .gouv.fr. 

Only one official website for customs: douane.gouv.fr

Finally, for all questions of package taxation, you must inquire at the merchant site where you made your purchases or the customer service of the company that delivers your package.

Do not reply to fraudulent SMS or emails

False SMS or emails about the delivery of parcels circulate regularly.

People receive a fake SMS or email allegedly sent by customs to claim payment in exchange for unlocking the package. This is a « phishing » or « phishing » message that aims to extort your bank details, credit card codes or money via online payment sites. Do not click on the link and do not follow up on this message.

Customs will never contact you by SMS or email to request payment of duties and taxes related to a package.

What if you are a victim of an online scam? 

Make a report on the PHAROS platform

  • Platform for harmonization, cross-checking analysis and referral of alerts

Get online support on the platform Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr

  • Assistance and prevention of digital risk at the service of the public

Get help by contacting Info Scams

  • Telephone platform composed of police and gendarmes, reachable at 0 805 805 817 from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:30 (service and free calls).