Fake Lost Parcel Sites: How to Avoid the Trap!

Have you ever been tempted by those tempting websites offering lost parcels at knock-down prices? Beware: behind these offers often lie dreadful scams that can cost you dearly! In this article, we'll take a closer look at the techniques used by these web fraudsters, and give you the keys to buying online with complete peace of mind.

The Boom of Fake Lost Parcel Sites

With the meteoric rise of e-commerce, online scams have multiplied in recent years. Among them, bogus lost-package sales sites are particularly popular. The concept is simple: offer you high-tech products or brand-name items at rock-bottom prices. But behind this attractive façade lies a far less glamorous reality...

Well-Rolled Techniques To Bait You

These online scammers use a variety of strategies to entice you to place an order on their fraudulent site:

• 💰 Unbeatable prices, often 70% less expensive than the market
• ⏰ Time-limited offers to encourage you to buy
• 📦 The promise of new, original products in "lost or returned" packages.
• 🎁 Free gifts and vouchers with every order

But once you've made your payment, you're in for a rude awakening! Either you never receive your parcel, or it's delivered to you in the form of counterfeit goods or products of mediocre quality. And, of course, there's no customer service to help you...

Warning signs to watch out for

Here are a few clues to help you avoid buying from a dubious site:

• ❌ Lack of legal information (SIRET, address, GTC)
• 🌐 A web address with spelling mistakes or unusual extensions (.tk, .xyz...)
• 🚫 The impossibility of paying by credit card or via a secure system such as PayPal
• 📞 Customer service unreachable or based abroad
• ⚠️ Customer reviews divided between excessive praise and harsh criticism

In 2022, over 150,000 consumers fell victim to an internet shopping scam, for a total loss of 92 million euros.

- Ministry of the Interior figures

Our Tips for Buying with Peace of Mind

Fortunately, there are simple and effective ways to protect yourself from online scams linked to fake lost parcel sites. Here are our recommendations:

• ✅ Choose well-known, reliable e-commerce sites (Fnac, Amazon, CDiscount...).
• 🔎 Check the seller's e-reputation (reviews, forums, social networks)
• 💳 Use a bank card dedicated to online purchases with a suitable limit
• 🛡️ If in doubt, contactUFC Que Choisir or Signal Arnaques for advice
• ⚖️ If you've been the victim of a scam, report it to the police.

Legal and safe alternatives to lost parcels

Looking for a bargain without taking risks? There are many e-commerce sites specializing in the resale of second-hand, reconditioned or discontinued products. You'll find what you're looking for at a lower cost, with fast, safe delivery. These include

• 🔄 Back Market, the benchmark for refurbished electronics
• 🛍️ Veepee, for private sales of top brands
• 📦 Cdiscount Occasion, a wide selection of verified second-hand products

Online sales of second-hand and reconditioned products jumped by 30% in 2022 to reach 8 billion euros in sales.

- Recommerce 2022 barometer

So don't wait any longer to take advantage of great online deals with complete peace of mind! Avoid the mirages of fake lost parcel sites by following our sound advice. Share this article with your friends and family to make them aware of these increasingly sophisticated scams.

And remember: if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is! Your vigilance is your best ally for successful online shopping. Happy shopping to you all!