Online shopping security tips

The claims about personal banking information for 463 thousand 378 people being compromised in Turkey, brought up the safety of online shopping. Prof. Süleyman Kondakçı, who indicated that scammers steal personal data with unimaginable methods, said, “The alleged numbers are very high. Such scammers extend over a period of time and steal amounts as small as 50 kuruş to 1 lira, and use those information to withdraw larger amounts later on. It is very important to read your credit card statement carefully to spot any unauthorized charges or billing errors."

The issue of safety of online shopping in Turkey became a hot topic again by foreign resources. The researchers of Group IB, leading provider of cybersecurity solutions, claimed that 463 thousand 378 personal banking information stolen from Turkish users were put on sale. After these allegations, users were warned about shopping from secure sellers. Prof. Süleyman Kondakçı, Lecturer at Department of Computer Engineering, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), indicated that scammers stole personal data with unimaginable methods. Prof. Süleyman Kondakçı said, "For example, they post a fake job opening online and ask for personal information or videos that include personal information, or they even hold interviews online. They go and open bank accounts using the information stated by these citizens. Fake promotion sites can steal all the information via phone applications. The figures in this research is very high. People, who suspect they might be the victim of a fraud, must immediately call their banks and cancel credit cards. It is especially important to read your credit card statement carefully to spot any unauthorized charges or billing errors, because these scammers steal amounts as small as 50 kuruş to 1 lira over a period of time, and use those information to withdraw larger amounts later on."

'WE NEED TO KNOW THE RISKS IN ORDER NOT TO BECOME VICTIMS'

Prof. Kondakçı stated that it was very practical to do online shopping, however, consumers needed to be aware of the risks. "We need to know how and where to shop from, and understand the dangers of online shopping. Otherwise, we can suffer greatly.  We need to know the risks of using credit cards online. Lately, there are fake promotion sites in the social media apps. With these apps downloaded on mobile phones, personal data and credit card information is stolen, and being sold to malevolent parties. We need to be aware of some of the payment sites on the internet, intermediaries need to be trustworthy. Citizens need to stay away from sites they are not familiar with. There are many sites that look professional. It may be difficult to understand they are fake. We should not click on each promotion message being sent,” said Prof. Kondakçı.

'THEY SHOULD BE REPORTED'

Asst. Prof. Arzu Aşçı, Lecturer at IUE Faculty of Law, who gave information about the legal aspect of fraud, said, " Any person who secures a benefit for himself, or another, by acquiring or retaining (by any means), a bank or credit card of another person; or using, or allowing to be used, such a card without the consent of the card holder or the residual owner shall be sentenced to a penalty of imprisonment for a term of three to six years.  Additionally, any person who produces, sells, transfers, purchases or receives a counterfeit bank or credit card which relates to the bank account of another shall be sentenced to a penalty of imprisonment for a term of three to seven years. We suggest anyone, who is subject to such offense, must immediately go to the police.”