Prime Day: see how not to fall into traps in promotions – 07/11/2023 – Market

It’s not just Black Friday, held annually on the last Friday of November, that has entered the Brazilian shopping calendar in recent years: now there’s also Amazon’s Prime Day, which in 2023 takes place on the 11th and 12th of July.

In the case of Prime Day, the risks of problems decrease if you make sure you are using the official Amazon website or app.

In periods of promotions that extend to several sites, in addition to the danger of paying the infamous “half double”, you can have personal data captured and serious financial losses.

By following the tips below, however, it is possible to enjoy real discounts while remaining safe.

Avoid unknown links

Do not click on unknown links, even those received by friends and family. They can download malware onto your device or direct you to pages that collect personal data.

Before clicking on the link, check the address (URL) — sometimes it can be different from what is visible.

Check who owns the website

Prefer shopping in apps from large companies and in official stores. Found an unknown website with tempting offers? Before buying, consult Procon’s list of sites that should be avoided and also Registro.br, in the “Whois” section, which informs who registered the site.

Scammers often use free email addresses to register the domain (Hotmail, Gmail, etc.).

Beware of SMS and Ads

Be wary of SMS messages and advertisements on social networks, one of the methods adopted by scammers. To confirm that the offer displayed on the social network is real, enter the retailer’s official website and search for the advertised product.

Do not use public wifi

Don’t do business or bank online while connected to public Wi-Fi—criminals can intercept your connection and steal your personal data.

Prefer your cell phone’s mobile network or your home’s Wi-Fi, duly password protected.

be wary of mistakes

Are there any spelling errors or design bugs? If so, go to the store’s offer page by directly typing in the correct address.

do not repeat passwords

Use unique passwords for each site or service. If you only use one password, if it is stolen, all services will be compromised.

monitor prices

Pay attention to disguised promotions (when the store increases the price before the promotions and then reduces them). Compare values ​​and be wary of offers far below the market.

Take your time

Avoid impulse purchases, analyze the details. Criminals want the purchase to be completed quickly.

Check the name of the recipient

Before making the payment by Pix or by boleto, check if the name of the recipient has to do with the name of the store where you are making the purchase. Be wary of establishments that only give the option on behalf of individuals.

use virtual cards

Create virtual cards for different online purchases: In your bank’s application, you can probably create cards to be used only once. That way, in case of problems, it’s easy to cancel with your smartphone and avoid cloning your physical card.

check the deadline

Check the delivery time to avoid frustration.

If there was a delay in the delivery of the product, the customer must demand his right, the reimbursement of the money paid or the replacement of the product.

Find out about the exchange policy

The product can be exchanged if it is defective. If the consumer made an online purchase and regretted it for some reason, he has the right to return the goods free of charge, within seven days, in accordance with article 49 of the CDC (Consumer Protection Code).

The exchange of the product is not mandatory, unless the store is committed. Keep an eye on the exchange policies of ecommerces.

Also remember that the CDC is not valid in the case of purchases made directly from individuals.