As internet use has grown in Uganda, so has the popularity of online shopping and the number of businesses taking their operations online. According to data available at Statista, there were 5.6 million online shoppers in Uganda in 2022.
While the convenience and availability of a wide selection of products make online shopping attractive, the significant increase in online shoppers has contributed to the rise of online shopping scams in Uganda. Fraudulent individuals and businesses try to exploit unsuspecting shoppers by selling them fake or defective products or stealing their personal and financial information.
Also read; Top 12 Online Scams in Uganda and How to Avoid Them
These scams often involve fraudulent individuals or businesses pretending to be legitimate online sellers through fake websites, classifieds sites or social media accounts. They usually sell counterfeit or defective products, pay without delivery, or steal personal and financial information from unsuspecting shoppers. If you have been a victim of an online shopping scam, there are steps you can take to try and recover your money and also protect yourself in the future.
Also read: How to spot an online shopping scam in Uganda.
Top online shopping scams in Uganda
Here are some common online shopping scams to be aware of:
- Fake websites: These fake websites appear genuine but are set up by scammers to sell you counterfeit/defective items, take your money and refuse to deliver items, or steal your personal and financial information.
- Phishing scams: These scams often involve scammers sending fake emails or website links that appear to be from a legitimate company, asking you to enter your personal and financial information. Their ultimate goal is to steal your personal and financial data.
- Auction scams: In these scams, the seller may offer an item at a price way below the available market price, but once you pay, they never send the item or can send you a different item that is of low quality.
- Shipping scams: Some online sellers may claim to have a product in stock and charge you for delivery but never send the item or send you a different product that is of low quality.
- Counterfeit products: Scammers may offer fake versions of popular brands or products at highly discounted prices, but these products are often of lower quality or may not function as advertised.
How to recover your money after being scammed by an online vendor
If you have been a victim of an online shopping scam, here are 10 ways to try and recover your money:
1. Contact the company
If a legitimate company has scammed you, try reaching out to them to request a refund or to report the scam.
2. Report to the police
One option for recovering your money after being scammed by an online seller is to report the incident to the police. When you open a case of fraud at the police, you would be helping the law enforcement team to locate the perpetrator and potentially recover your funds. It is essential to document as much information about the scam as possible, including any communication with the seller and relevant transaction receipts. The police will use this information to track down the individual and potentially recover your money.
3. File a complaint with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC)
The UCC is a government agency mandated to investigate consumer complaints and can help you recover your money if you have been scammed.
4. Dispute the charge with your Mobile Money service
If you used Mobile Money to make the purchase, you could try disputing the charge with your Mobile Money Service provider company. They can help locate the scam or reverse the money if the scammer hasn’t withdrawn it yet.
5. Contact the website or app where you made the purchase
Many online marketplaces like Jumia have policies in place to protect consumers from scams and can help you recover your money.
6. File a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
The IC3 is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center and can help you report and recover from internet-based crimes.
7. Consult a lawyer
If you have been the victim of a significant financial loss, you may need to consult a lawyer who can advise you on the options for recovering your money.
8. Seek compensation through small claims court
If you have been scammed for a small amount of money, you can file a claim in small claims court to try and recover your funds. In Uganda, Small Claims Procedure can be accessed at the Chief Magistrates courts of Lira, Mbale, Arua, Entebbe, Mpigi, Masaka, Kabale, Fort Portal, Gulu, Busia, Jinja, Nakawa, Hoima, Masindi, Bushenyi, Nakasongola, Iganga, Kasese, Kitgum, Makindye, Nabweru, Mukono, Mengo, Soroti, Luwero, Mbarara and Nakasongola.
9. Spread the word
Sharing your experience with others can help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam and may help expose the scammer. Expose the scammer on social media and in name-and-shame groups like Expose Bad Service & Scams Uganda.
Also read; 13 Reasons to Shop Online in Uganda
Steps and tips to avoid online shopping scams in Uganda
You can also take steps to protect yourself from online shopping scams. Here are some steps and tips to help you avoid online shopping scams:
1. Research the product and seller
Before making a purchase, do your research to ensure that the product and seller are legitimate. Look out for reviews and ratings from their past customers, and also check if the company is registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).
Also read; Top 16 Online Shopping Sites in Uganda 2023
2. Read reviews
Reading reviews from other customers can give you an idea of the quality of the product and the seller’s reputation. Avoid buying from sellers with a high number of negative reviews or no reviews at all.
3. Buy from only reputable companies
It is generally safer to buy from well-known and reputable companies. Renowned and credible online retail companies are likelier to have legitimate products and customer service policies.
Also read; How to avoid buying fake products online in Uganda
4. Do not pay in advance, not even for delivery
Some scammers may ask for payment in advance, either for the product or delivery, but never deliver the product or provide subpar services. Only pay for a product after you have received it and have had a chance to review it.
5. Is the offer too good to be true? Don’t buy
If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of deals significantly below market prices, as they may be scams or involve poor-quality products.
6. Shop from secure websites only
To protect your personal and financial information, only shop from secure websites that use encryption technologies to protect your data. Look for a lock icon in the address bar or “HTTPS” in the URL to ensure the website is secure.
Also read; Online Shopping Safety: 15 Ways Jumia is Protecting Customers
7. Use strong passwords
To protect your personal and financial information, use strong and unique passwords for each of your online accounts. Avoid using easily guessable passwords such as your name or birth date. Also, consider using a password manager to help generate and store strong passwords.
8. Avoid branded products
Some scammers may try to sell counterfeit versions of popular brands or products at discounted prices. To avoid this scam, only purchase branded products from reputable sellers, which is generally safer.
Also read; How to stay safe while shopping online in Uganda.
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting scammed by an online vendor can be frustrating and stressful. However, when you take action and follow the steps outlined above, you can recover your money and protect yourself in the future. Always be vigilant when shopping online and take steps to protect yourself from scams. Following these tips and being aware of the common online shopping scams in Uganda can help ensure you have a safe and successful online shopping experience.
Also read; 8 Problems with Online Shopping in Uganda and their Solutions
