Stay alert for online scams
The Consumer Advice Centre NRW, located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, serves as a valuable resource for consumers in the region. Headed by Director Laura Egberink, the centre offers advice on a variety of consumer-related issues, including how to protect oneself against internet crime.
The centre can be reached at Auf dem Thie 34, 48431 Rheine, or by telephone at 0211 54222 - 11. For those who prefer digital communication, the centre's website is www.verbraucherzentrale.nrw.
Recently, the centre has issued a warning about two common scams that occur when buying online privately. The first scam involves using buyer protection and private payment processing while staying on the real sales page. The second scam involves accessing a fake page via a QR code.
Ralf Scherfling, a phishing expert at the Consumer Centre NRW, advises against engaging in private emails or alternative payment options when using online sales platforms. He warns that scammers often send screenshots of QR codes or payment confirmations, or redirect potential victims to other platforms to steal access data.
In a recent case, a seller on a classified ads portal offered a camera for 60 euros and scammed a buyer out of 2,970 euros using a fake PayPal payment QR code. Another individual lost 7,000 euros through a similar scam involving a QR code for "secure payment".
To minimise the risk of fraud, the centre recommends completing transactions on the platform and following usual procedures. If affected by fraud, individuals should file a complaint, report the fraudulent profile on the sales portal, freeze their bank account, change their platform login credentials, and ask their bank about reversing the illegally sent payment.
For more information on internet crime, individuals can also contact the Consultation Office RheineConsumer Advice Centre NRW e.V. It is essential to stay vigilant and protect personal information when making online purchases. Opening QR codes or links in emails can lead to fraudulent sites and should be avoided.
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