It is worth remembering that these are already the last moments to shop online if we want ordered products to reach us before Christmas. Time pressure and haste encourage rash decisions, and it is precisely in such moments that it is easiest to fall victim to fraudsters. We therefore urge you to exercise particular caution—do not be misled by “super deals” and exceptionally attractive promotions, which often turn out to be attempts to extort money or data. Let us pause for a moment, check the offer and the seller, because prudence and calm are the best protection against pre-Christmas fraud.
Always check the seller’s credibility, previous transactions and the opinions of other buyers. Whenever possible, choose cash on delivery or make payment only after receiving the ordered goods. When receiving offers by email, do not use the attached links— it is best to enter the store’s website address manually in the browser to avoid fake websites impersonating legitimate stores.
Avoid buying items at drastically reduced prices—they may have been obtained through crime. For your own safety, keep all correspondence with the seller. When paying by electronic transfer, always check that the bank’s website looks correct and does not raise any doubts. Make payments only on trusted devices, avoiding public places and open Wi-Fi networks. Never share PIN numbers, passwords or electronic banking details. Also be cautious with messages claiming that an additional payment for a shipment is supposedly required.
To avoid falling victim to fraud during pre-Christmas shopping, remember a few rules
- do not provide detailed information over the phone, even if the caller claims to be a bank employee,
- if a friend suddenly asks for a BLIK code via a messaging app, contact them by phone and confirm the request,
- before approving a BLIK payment, carefully check the amount and the transaction recipient,
- do not click links received from unknown senders—they may lead to websites designed to steal data or money,
- before logging in to electronic banking, make sure that the website address is correct,
- do not log in to accounts requiring sensitive data on open Wi-Fi networks,
- use two-factor authentication (2FA), which significantly increases the security of our accounts.
We urge you to exercise prudence, vigilance and responsibility when shopping online, especially during the holiday season.
