Campaign launched against online scams

Law-enforcing agencies and a number of regulatory authorities concerned on Thursday launched a campaign named ‘Watch out for online scams’ to warn the consumers of scammers operating online.

The day was also World Consumer Rights Day.

The National Police Board, Finnish Commerce Federation, Consumers’ Union Finland, Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority, Customs, Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes), Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority, and the European Consumer Centre, Finland have initiated the campaign jointly, said a press release.

Online sales scams have mushroomed in the recent years. The scammers have also become more skilled than before and therefore are now harder to detect.

People can become targets of online scam through email or the use of mobile devices.

In 2017, nearly 12,000 cases of online fraud were reported to the police, while the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority was contacted 1,453 times concerning online and sales scams.

The police warned that such scams may involve fraudulent use of various brands and company names. Messages may be sent under the guise of a well-known company, or they may have brand logos attached without permission.

The aim of some scams is to collect confidential information in the name of surveys or through invitations to participate to spread malware or to ensnare the respondents with unreasonable contract terms and conditions.

The ‘Watch out for online scams’ campaign will encourage consumers to be vigilant when using the Internet, as anyone can fall victim to an online scam, said the press release, adding that it is important to maintain and develop one’s consumer skills in order to identify and avoid scams.

As part of the campaign, the Consumers’ Union Finland has launched a website, Huijausinfo.fi, where together with its partners the union will compile information on scams targeting consumers.