How to spot scam websites & social media accounts in Qatar
The occurrence of online scams are increasing day by day due to the influence of the internet in our daily life. On the internet there are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming an important part of our life. Listed below are top ways to recognize a scam on the internet:
Shipping Services Scam
A new scheme has entered the market where scammers use the name of authentic websites (for example, QatarLiving) to create a scam website offering shipping services. First, scammers locate your advertisment on the legitimate website and then create a fake reciept and shipping policy page shared via WhatsApp images. Beware that all of it is fake as QatarLiving DOES NOT provide shipping services.
‘’Too good to be true’’ deals
If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust) or the market rate in your country. If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to give them a call or check their customer service or buy the product offline (if available in your country). For example in the picture below, furniture shoppers are aware that the price of everything in the below image is not true.
Online Shopping Scam Websites
This is one of the most common scams that occur. Online shopping scam websites use a fake or low-quality online store usually under the name of a prominent business/company that offers similar service but scam-free!
Scammers create an illusion of trustworthiness through emails, customer service, replying back to your messages and taking your calls. After gaining your trust, they tend to ask your credit/debit card details to scam you in real time and for future unpermitted use. When you complete the payment process, and you never receive the product you bought and ask for a refund (which you won’t get), you will receive another email which will probably be the last email from scammers. For example, the email itself and all the links in the email are malicious.
Locate the ''contact us'' page & social media presence
If you don’t see multiple contact options (phone, email, live chat, or physical address) on the company website, then proceed with caution. Also, most legitimate companies have some social media presence and activity. If you see the social media icons on their website, click on each to check their social media like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more.
Double check the domain name
Scam websites tend to have domain names that are similar to a legit site in the area, to trick the user into thinking they are on that legit site. The name will have subtle changes that you may not even notice. Always double check the address bar to see if you have been redirected to the right website.
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Beware of fake social media accounts
Scammers do not stop at websites, they even try to reach you via popular social media networks like Facebook and Instagram. Scammers create fake social media accounts of legitimate organizations and run their schemes using following scam techniques (which you should never agree to):
Send something that is “too good to be true”
Ask you to click on suspicious links
Pretend to be announcers of free giveaways
Ask you to share your credit/debit card or bank details.
Note: Qatarliving will never ask you to share your bank details or to register your information in a suspicious link, in case you have won a giveaway.
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Mobile text messages
Scammers send fake text messages pretending to be legitimate organizations to trick you into giving them your personal information. Never click on the links attached, call or reply to the numbers mentioned in any of these messages.
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Thank you for this information.
Great!
Scam!!! Please be aware of the strategy.
Scamming email: nathycharles10@gmail.com
Scammer name: Nathaniel Charles.
Person contacted me via email about my item for sale on QL. All communication done via email.
We agreed on price. He wanted to transfer money via PayPal as he “has issues with bank account”. Red flag 1.
He did not have access to a phone to call me. Red flag 2.
He is sending a shipping agent to collect the item, but only needed my address to calculate fees. Did not request product size. Red flag 3.
And the confirmation that it is a scammer, was that my last email to the address bounced, as it the address no longer existed!!
BE AWARE.
This one almost had me.
https://www.qatarliving.com/classifieds/electronics/computers-software-accessories/desktops-laptops/immaculate-condition-2021-macbook-pro-14/1398100
please remove the scan
ok
Beware both these numbers : they have both tried scamming me in the past month with all the same tricks as explained above :
+7 982 133-61-22 - with profile pic of insanely pretty young woman - trying to get me use QatarPost courier services
+370 666 89131 - name "Juana" from Lithuania, also with profile pic of insanely pretty young woman - also trying to get me use QatarPost courier services
SCAM +96879716331 this number is for scam. She send location of Shamal border. She will do everything, send a link where I can get my money from Qatar post and this carrier from Qatar post will call me for take the package......SCAM
Profile picture of a mother and child
Scam +96879716331
Becareful with this number is scammer never reply nor chat.
@ abuhx56 - from which country code ?
ok
Ok
just now i receive new scam, they're using www-aramex.com, when you click receive money you will divert to new link "pishing site" that need to enter your "card number, bday, cvv " beware this kind of scheme.
Majorly they come in groups. Create many groups or pages in one go. Spread like net in the ocean, grab poor fishes and elope. LV bags promotion on FB going on now a days. Apple products are their main bait.
Unfortunately just fell for this scam - BEWARE +96879716331
ok
+976 99927929 Same message... Beware
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@dr-moataz younis exactly from the same no I got contacted with the same message.
+96879716331 this phone is for scam. She said she came to Qatar new so not change her mobile phone number yet. Said (she will do everything, send a link where I can get my money from Qatar post and this carrier from Qatar post will call me for take the package....
It's scam be aware of this
Nice
nice
Ok
nice
QL Shipping services scam...
Mobile # 3357 1646
"I make an order, I pay for it. I send you a link where you get the money on your bank card; then the courier contact you to pick up the package."
"I will do everything myself, you just need to get the money and give the package to the courier"
Too good to be true!?!
The request was denied );
Nice
Negotiable