Have you been a victim of online shopping fraud? Heres how to stay safe

The Communications Authority of Kenya has issued an advisory over online shopping fraud.

A statement from the Authority issued on Wednesday said its attention has been drawn to various websites and mobile applications that purport to be selling goods and services online.

“Criminals are using the internet to entice unsuspecting buyers through emails, SMS, Social Media pages or telephone requesting for registration fee for the goods and services advertised the above platforms,” the CAK statement reads.

Some characteristics of online fraudsters are unavailability of registered physical address, contacts and customer care help lines.

The CAK also pointed out that suspicious telephone numbers, email addresses and websites could be an indication of sinister motives.

Social media sites such as Facebook ,Twitter, Instagram and others were listed as some of the avenues used to perpetuate online shopping fraud schemes.

The authority’s National Computer Incident Response Team Coordination Centre is on high alert after several incidences were reported.

Below are measures one can take to avoid being conned:

1. Verify the authenticity of online trading platforms before engaging with them
2. Desist from sending money to mobile numbers belonging to individuals posing as representatives of such online stores
3. Avoid downloading internet apps from questionable sources
4. Check online stores and mobile apps by reading the online reviews or other third party comments
5. Avoiding disclosure of personal details such as bank account details, ATM PIN, usernames and passwords, etc.
6. Report suspected fraudulent websites or individuals masquerading as authentic sellers.

The CAK  advice  citizens to report cases of online fraud to the police or the Computer Incident Response Team Coordination Center (CIRT/CC) based at the CAK.

The (CIRT/CC) is Kenya’s national cyber security trusted point of contact mandated to offer technical advice on cyber security matters nationally.

It also coordinates response to cyber incidents in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders locally, regionally and globally.

Members of the public are advised to contact the National Kenya Computer Incident Response Team Coordination Center via the email address @incidents@ke-cirt.go.ke or through dedicated hotlines +254704042700, +254730172700 to report an incident or seek advice on matters of cyber security.