The festive season in India has already begun with Rakshabandhan and Ganesh Chaturthi, soon to be followed by Navratri and Diwali. Festivals bring joy and celebrations, but they also mean increased spending on clothes, gold, utensils, furniture, and gifts. While many still enjoy the traditional shopping experience in stores, busy lifestyles and the rise of digital platforms have made online shopping a convenient alternative. Along with this convenience, however, online scams are also on the rise and frequently making headlines.

Before you begin your festive shopping, it is important to know how to protect yourself from scammers.

Surge in Festive Season Frauds

Online fraud in India typically spikes by 20–25% during the festive season, driven by AI-powered scams and record highs in UPI payments, mobile wallets, and e-commerce activity. Phishing attacks and fake promotional offers are increasingly targeting festive shoppers.

The scale of the problem is alarming: cyber fraud losses jumped to Rs 177.05 crore in FY24, compared to Rs 69.68 crore in FY23. Similarly, the RBI reported 36,075 bank fraud cases in FY24, a 166% YoY increase.

Fraudsters often rely on traps like fake coupons and promotional links, where a single click can install malware such as screen recorders or remote-access apps. Flashy messages promising a ‘free gift’ or a ‘Rs 10,000 voucher’ are designed to trick users into sharing sensitive information.

According to McAfee’s 2024 report, its labs analysed more than 800 unsolicited festive-related emails and found that scam activity peaks on Fridays and Saturdays. Many emails impersonated trusted platforms like Flipkart or Amazon, luring users with unrealistic discounts of up to 99%.

Scams During the Festive Season & Their Red Flags

Fake Websites & Counterfeit Offers

Fraudsters set up websites or ads that mimic trusted platforms like Amazon or Flipkart, especially during sales.

Red flags: URLs with small changes or typos (e.g., amaz0n-deals.com), poorly designed sites, or unbelievable discounts (90–99% off).

Fake Delivery Calls, Urgent Offers & OTP Scams

Scammers impersonate delivery agents and ask for OTPs or links to ‘confirm’ a parcel.

Red flags: Urgent messages asking you to share an OTP or click a tracking link when you didn’t place an order.

Malicious Apps & APK Links

Scammers circulate counterfeit apps through WhatsApp or SMS, which install malware or steal data.

Red flags: Requests to download external APKs, apps mimicking popular platforms like ‘Flipkart’ or ‘Diwali Tracker’, and unsolicited links.

Fake Promo Links & Unbelievable Deals

Clickbait discounts or ‘spin-the-wheel’ offers redirect users to phishing sites.

Red flags: Too-good-to-be-true offers and links from unknown sources.

Scam SMS/WhatsApp Messages & Social Engineering

Fraudsters pose as customer support, demanding payments for ‘logistics’ or personal information for ‘instant delivery’.

Red flags: Unknown numbers, vague identities (‘account manager’), urgent tone, or demands for small upfront payments.

Charity, Giveaway & Contest Frauds

Scammers seek donations for fake charities or run contests promising big prizes but leaving victims with losses.

Red flags: Unverified organisations, upfront payment requests, or ‘you have won’ messages asking for bank details.

Tips for Smart and Safe Shopping This Festive Season

Shop only on trusted platforms: Stick to Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, or Ajio, or any websites that are reliable and trust-worthy. Avoid clicking links from unknown ads or websites.

Beware of fake apps and phishing links: Download apps only from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Double-check URLs before clicking.

Avoid public Wi-Fi for payments: Public Wi-Fi is insecure. Use mobile data or a private Wi-Fi network when shopping.

Use secure payment methods: Prefer credit/debit cards, UPI, or trusted wallets (Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay). They offer better fraud protection.

Check seller ratings and reviews: Especially for high-value items, verify sellers and read reviews.

Enable alerts and track orders: Activate SMS/email alerts for transactions and track your deliveries closely.

Review return and refund policies: Ensure the platform has transparent policies, especially for clothing or electronics.

Secure your accounts: Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication for shopping accounts.

Wrapping Up

Online scams will continue to evolve, even if the government blocks malicious sites. Fraudsters always find new ways to deceive shoppers. The best defence is awareness. If you are unsure about making an online purchase, it’s safer to consult a trusted family member or stick to offline shopping.

During the festive season, when online shopping peaks, cybercriminals see a golden opportunity. Staying alert is the only way to stay safe.

*The companies mentioned in the article are for information purposes only. This is not investment advice.
*Disclaimer: Teji Mandi Disclaimer