Nowadays, when online shopping is becoming more and more popular, it is important to protect yourself from fraudulent websites. One of the fraudulent practices is to set up fake websites that supposedly sell products from well-known brands at reduced prices. We at VAUDE are also affected by these practices, so with this guide we would like to help you recognize fake websites that pretend to offer reduced VAUDE products. By recognizing such websites, you can protect yourself from financial losses and disappointment.
Check the website URL:
The URL of a website can give you a first clue about its authenticity. Pay careful attention to the web address you are on. The official VAUDE website has the domain "vaude.com". Be wary of websites that use similar URLs or contain additional words, such as "vaude-sales" . Such variations might indicate that it is a fraudulent website.
Pay attention to the appearance of the website:
Fake websites often try to copy the look and layout of real websites, but may show signs of unprofessionalism or inconsistency. Watch for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, or unusual formatting. Reputable companies invest in an appealing, high-quality website. So be skeptical if the website gives an unprofessional impression.
Check prices:
If a website claims to offer VAUDE products at extremely reduced prices, alarm bells should start ringing. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Compare prices with official VAUDE prices and other trusted retailers. If the price differences are significant, there is a high risk that it is a fraudulent website.
Check the payment methods:
Fraudulent websites often offer unsafe payment methods, such as wire transfers or money transfers. However, it is important to note that even websites that offer credit cards as a payment option are not always safe. Although reputable websites like VAUDE usually offer secure payment options like credit cards or PayPal, there is no guarantee that these payment methods will always protect you from fraud.
To ensure your safety, make sure that the website where you make payments uses an encrypted connection. You can tell this by looking at whether the URL starts with "https" instead of just "http". An encrypted connection helps protect your payment information during transmission.
Read reviews and experiences of other customers:
Search the Internet for reviews and experiences of other customers. Check independent review portals, forums or social media to see if other people have had similar experiences. If there are many negative reviews or warnings, you should be suspicious.
Contact our customer service
If you discover a suspicious website, we ask you to report it to our customer service via our contact form. We do our best to take action against these fraudulent websites. However, it is often a challenge as these websites are constantly finding new ways to disguise themselves or hide their identity. VAUDE works closely with the appropriate authorities to combat these fraudulent activities. Nevertheless, it is inevitable that new fake websites will keep popping up. Therefore, it is even more important that you as a consumer are vigilant and follow the above tips to protect yourself from fraudulent websites.