"Fake store finder" to make online shopping safer
In view of the current discount campaigns such as "Black Week" and the upcoming Christmas sales, Consumer Protection Minister Franziska Weidinger (CDU) has warned against fraudsters on the Internet. "Fraudsters are currently scenting big business, fake stores are unfortunately booming on the Internet," Weidinger announced on Thursday. Saxony-Anhalt is therefore now supporting and promoting the "Fakeshop-Finder" of the consumer advice centers.
The online tool uses artificial intelligence to check the web addresses of stores that users can enter there. The tool uses a traffic light system to indicate whether there are any indications of possible fraudsters. According to the Ministry of Justice, the software scans websites for features that are often found on dubious providers.
Consumers should be cautious during online shopping events like "Black Week" and the upcoming Christmas sales, as fraudsters are taking advantage of these periods and creating fake stores on the Internet. To help consumers identify these fraudulent websites, the consumer advice centers have developed an online tool called "Fakeshop-Finder," which uses artificial intelligence to analyze the web addresses of stores and flags potential fraudsters using a traffic light system.
Source: www.dpa.com
