NEW DELHI, India | September 22, 2026 —
The festive shopping season is here, bringing attractive discounts, flash sales, bank offers and limited-time deals across online platforms. But while shoppers hunt for the lowest prices, fraudsters are also looking for opportunities.
A single careless click on a fake shopping website, an unknown payment link or a fraudulent refund message can turn an attractive deal into an expensive mistake.
That does not mean consumers should stop shopping online. It means they should slow down for a few seconds before entering card details, approving a UPI payment or downloading an unfamiliar app.
Here are the most important precautions every online shopper should take during the festive sale season.
1. A deal that looks unbelievable deserves a second look
A premium smartphone, television, laptop or branded product being offered at an unusually low price should immediately trigger caution.
Fraudulent websites often copy the appearance of popular e-commerce platforms and advertise extraordinary discounts to attract buyers.
Before paying, check the website name carefully.
Scammers frequently use domains that differ from genuine websites by only one letter, an extra word or a misleading spelling.
Instead of opening a shopping link received through an unknown SMS, WhatsApp message or social-media advertisement, manually open the official app or website.
2. Do not rush because a countdown timer is running
“Only 2 minutes left.”
“Last item remaining.”
“Pay now to secure this price.”
Such messages are designed to create urgency.
Legitimate e-commerce sites also use limited-time sales, but criminals exploit the same psychological pressure to stop users from checking whether a page or payment request is genuine.
A discount is not worth bypassing basic verification.
Take a few seconds to check the seller, product page and payment destination before completing the transaction.
3. Never share your OTP, PIN or CVV
No genuine seller, courier executive, bank employee or customer-care representative needs your banking password, UPI PIN or card OTP to provide a refund.
An OTP is generally used to authorise an action.
Similarly, your UPI PIN is entered when you are sending money, not when someone is simply transferring money to you.
If somebody claims that you need to reveal an OTP or enter a UPI PIN to “receive a refund,” stop the transaction and verify the request independently.
4. Be extremely careful with QR codes
QR-code fraud has become particularly dangerous because scanning a code feels quick and harmless.
A fraudster may tell a buyer that scanning a QR code will credit a refund, cashback or prize.
But the code may instead initiate a payment request.
Before entering your UPI PIN, always read what the payment app is asking you to approve.
Check the recipient name and amount carefully.
Never approve a transaction simply because someone on the phone is giving instructions.
5. Fake customer-care numbers can trap shoppers
A delayed parcel, cancelled order or failed refund often sends consumers searching for customer-care numbers.
That is exactly when scammers strike.
Fraudulent phone numbers can appear in advertisements, social-media posts and unofficial listings.
Once contacted, the scammer may ask the customer to install a screen-sharing app, provide banking information or make a small “verification payment.”
Always contact customer support through the shopping platform’s official app or website.
6. Beware of fake parcel and delivery messages
Festive shopping means more packages arriving at homes.
Fraudsters use this opportunity to send messages such as:
“Your parcel is on hold.”
“Address incomplete — pay ₹5 to reschedule delivery.”
“Your package could not be delivered.”
A small payment may look harmless, but the linked page can be designed to steal card or banking information.
If a delivery message looks suspicious, check the order directly inside the shopping app rather than using the message link.
7. Check the seller before chasing the cheapest price
The marketplace may be genuine while an individual seller still deserves scrutiny.
Before placing an expensive order, check the seller’s rating, customer feedback, return conditions and delivery history.
Be cautious when a seller has almost no history or when product reviews appear repetitive, unnatural or unrelated to the product.
For high-value purchases, saving a few hundred rupees is rarely worth taking an unnecessary risk with an unknown seller.
8. Check return and refund rules before payment
A big discount can look less attractive when the product is marked non-returnable.
Before purchasing clothes, electronics, appliances or expensive accessories, read the return and replacement conditions.
Check whether the platform offers:
- Return or replacement
- Open-box delivery where applicable
- Warranty
- Seller warranty or manufacturer warranty
- Refund to the original payment method
Taking screenshots of the product page, advertised offer and order confirmation can also help if a dispute arises later.
9. Avoid shopping over unsecured public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes, railway stations or shopping centres may be convenient, but it is not the best place to perform sensitive financial transactions.
For purchases involving banking credentials or payment information, use a trusted mobile network or secured private connection whenever possible.
Also keep your phone, shopping apps and browser updated.
Software updates frequently include important security fixes.
10. Do not install unknown apps for discounts or refunds
An attractive message may offer an additional coupon if you download an app outside the official app store.
Another common scam begins with someone claiming to help with a refund and asking the victim to install remote-access or screen-sharing software.
Do not install unfamiliar applications merely because a caller or message instructs you to do so.
Once remote access is granted, sensitive information appearing on your screen may become exposed.
Paid already and suspect fraud? Act immediately
Speed matters in online financial fraud.
If an unauthorised transaction has occurred, immediately contact your bank or payment provider and report the incident through official cybercrime channels.
Do not delete suspicious messages, transaction details, screenshots, phone numbers or website addresses.
These can become important evidence.
India’s National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal also allows citizens to report suspicious websites, phone numbers, WhatsApp or Telegram handles, email addresses and social-media URLs.
Festive discounts are useful — urgency is the danger
The safest shopping habit is remarkably simple:
Do not allow a discount to make the decision for you.
Verify the website.
Check the seller.
Read the payment screen.
Never reveal an OTP or PIN.
And whenever something feels unusual, leave the transaction and independently verify it.
Online shopping can remain convenient and rewarding throughout the festive season.
But the best festive deal is the one that delivers the product you wanted — without handing your money or personal information to a scammer.
