"I wanted to order some parts online a few days ago. Among other things, I was looking for a spray cap for our spinlock waistcoats and pyro signalling pistols from Nico. I came across a dealer who offers all sorts of things for the boat at very favourable prices. It's www.schiffbootsteile.com - hosted by Cloudflare. The spray cap, for example, was available there for 11.39 euros instead of 38 euros. Or the signal pistol for 28.79 euros instead of 97 euros. The 300N Premium lifejacket from Marinepool is also on offer for an incredible €49.98 instead of €200 - including a reference to "test winner at Yacht" with your logo." A reader recently wrote to us about his experiences with seemingly tempting offers on the Internet.
In the end, he did not place an order. His suspicion: schiffbootsteile.com is a fake shop. This assessment is also shared by the NRW consumer advice centre.
Professional web presence lures buyers into the trap
The problem for inexperienced online shoppers is that fake shops are not always recognisable as such at first glance. The websites are often professionally designed, the legal notice appears complete and the terms and conditions are reputable. This is not even surprising, because sometimes the address data and commercial register entries on a fraudulent website have simply been copied from a real provider.
Anyone who hopes in good faith for a supposed bargain and is even prepared to pay in advance - as most fake shops do - will quickly end up losing out. But that doesn't have to be the case.
Tips for safe online shopping
To protect yourself from fraud when shopping online, the experts recommend always favouring well-known and trusted providers. You should be particularly critical of unknown shops. This includes looking for testimonials from other customers and checking the provider's contact details.
A reputable online shop should always have a complete legal notice with address and telephone number. It is also advisable to test the telephone number provided and, if in doubt, to enquire directly with the provider.
Particular caution is required when products are offered at conspicuously low prices that are significantly below the usual market level. Such bait offers are often an indication of fraudulent intentions.
Favour secure payment methods
Another important aspect of secure online shopping is the choice of payment method. Reputable shops usually offer various payment options, including PayPal or credit card payment. These methods offer additional protection as they often allow a chargeback in the event of fraud.
Prepayment should generally be avoided, especially with unknown providers. If a shop only accepts payment in advance, this is a clear warning sign. In such cases, interested parties should definitely cancel the purchase and not order there in the first place.
When entering payment data, consumers should also ensure that the connection is encrypted, recognisable by the "https" in the browser address bar and a lock symbol.
Beware of unknown online shops
If a website seems suspicious, the experts advise not only to look for indications of its reliability on the website itself. Instead, external sources such as search engines or the Fake shop finder of the consumer advice centres (click here!)to obtain additional information about the provider.
Dubious shops are also listed by various organisations. There you can check whether a retailer that seems untrustworthy has already attracted negative attention from other potential buyers in the past. Operators of such fake shop lists include Watchlist Internet and Side check.
The Consumer Advice Centre of Lower Saxony and the digital association Eco also warn that more and more fraudulent ads are being distributed via social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Here, adverts and seemingly trustworthy profiles are used to generate quick purchases and reach as many victims as possible.
Legal steps in the event of fraud
If, despite all precautions, buyers have fallen victim to a fake shop, consumer protection advises them to report it to the police immediately. Even if the chances of a refund are often slim, such reports help the authorities to identify and possibly stop fraudulent providers.
Those affected should also inform their bank or payment service provider so that they can arrange for a chargeback if necessary. In many cases, the relevant consumer advice centre can also help and point out legal options. It is important to save all evidence, such as emails, screenshots of the website and transfer receipts, in order to document the case of fraud.
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