Regulators warn against misleading discounts and hidden charges during sales
The festive season and year-end sales are tempting for everyone, from Bhubaneswar to Mumbai. However, that flashing "70% OFF" banner on your mobile screen might be a trap. As India embraces Black Friday-style mega sales, regulatory bodies and cybersecurity experts are sounding the alarm regarding online shopping scams and manipulative business tactics.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) is taking strict action against e-commerce platforms that mislead customers. Recently, the regulator imposed a fine of Rs 2 lakh on the baby products retailer FirstCry. The reason? "Drip pricing"—a deceptive tactic where the final price shoots up at the checkout page due to hidden taxes and fees that were not disclosed earlier.
The Rise of "Dark Patterns"
The government is actively fighting against "dark patterns." These are website designs specifically created to trick you into spending more money or buying things you didn't intend to.
Fake Urgency: Countdowns like "Offer ends in 5 minutes" are often fake, just to make you panic-buy.
Inflated MRPs: Sellers artificially hike the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) and then offer a discount, bringing the price back to its original value. You think you are saving money, but you are paying the standard market rate.
Basket Sneaking: Have you ever found an extra warranty or donation added to your cart without your permission? That is a banned practice.
2,000+ Fake Websites Detected
Beyond misleading prices from legitimate companies, there is a dangerous rise in completely fake stores. CloudSEK, a cybersecurity firm, has identified over 2,000 fraudulent websites recently. These sites often mimic the look and URL of global giants like Amazon to steal credit card details and personal data.
How to Stay Safe
With online shopping scams becoming more sophisticated, buyers in Odisha need to be vigilant. Here is how you can protect your wallet:
Check the URL: Scammers often use slightly misspelled domain names. Always type the website address manually.
Track Prices: Use price-tracker tools to see if the "discounted" price is actually lower than last week's price.
Review the Cart: Before clicking "Pay," ensure no hidden services or subscriptions have been auto-added.
Don't Rush: If a deal timer resets when you refresh the page, it is a fake urgency tactic. Ignore it.
As the government tightens the noose on digital malpractices, the ultimate responsibility still lies with the consumer to verify before verifying payment.
