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Online shoppers are being urged to double check the authenticity of websites before they enter their bank card details, as scammers are increasingly using paid adverts on search engines to promote fake sites as legitimate businesses.
Hidd Police Station head Colonel Dr Osama Bahar has also recommended that people educate themselves on how to properly search for their desired product or service.
“When we all search for a service or product online, most of use tend to use Google,” he said, speaking on the Al Aman show on social media.
“It shows you a list of related websites, but some of them might be nothing more than fraudulent schemes.
“Before a list of options are shown in the search results, a group of adverts appear before the websites which we are supposed to go through.
“These websites are paid adverts with small print usually above them saying ‘Sponsored’ in English or ‘Advertisement’ in Arabic.
“Imagine, Google is showing you these search results, but they might be scams. Fraudsters are buying these advertising spaces and placing them on the website.”
Col Dr Bahar
Col Dr Bahar warned people to make sure that they are on a legitimate website before sharing their card details, and to avoid going with seemingly ‘cheaper’ options.
He that it was always better to stay with the tried and tested rather than risk losing your savings by trying to save a few dinars.
“Whether you are paying your bills, buying airline tickets, train tickets or booking hotel rooms, do not just go to any random website but stick to the reputable ones,” he said.
“This advice is applicable to not just Bahrain, but no matter where you are around the world.
“Among the adverts, one of the options could be a fraudulent one bought and paid for by the scammers.
“You might think you have found something cheaper, so you enter your card details to pay, and just like that, your money is gone.
“Google itself has warned people against such scams.”
Col Dr Bahar has offered some advice to people on how to avoid losing their money to such scams, stating that it mostly boils down to only using trusted websites, checking for inconsistencies and, if necessary, asking for help.
“The most important solution is to make sure you only pay on websites that you know and trust,” he said.
“Do not risk using unfamiliar sites, even those that offer you cheaper prices.
“Rely on trusted sites, use trusted applications and avoid the commercial adverts that appear in Google or other search engines.
“Make sure that the domain names are correct and have no mistakes.
“Finally, if you feel like you are not sure, always ask for help from someone you trust before you waste your money.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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