Luvasti.com, an online jewelry store, has raised concerns about its legitimacy. The site used a now-deleted TikTok account to offer exclusive discounts, but this seems to be a tactic to encourage purchases without real intent to deliver.
- Copied legal pages: The Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and About Us sections on the website are directly copied from known scam sites. This is a common tactic to create an illusion of legitimacy, but these policies likely offer little to no actual protection for users. Even the images are unlawfully taken from other reputable retailers.
- Zero contact information: This site doesn’t provide any customer service phone number, physical address, or live chat support. This blatant lack of contact details leaves customers with no means to communicate with the company about any issues.
- Anonymous company: Only registered in July, the identity of the owners or operators of Luvasti.com isn’t disclosed. This complete lack of transparency raises significant concerns and casts doubt on the site’s trustworthiness for purchases or data handling.
- No social media presence: Reputable brands actively engage with customers through various social media platforms. The complete absence of any social media accounts linked to Luvasti.com is highly unusual and adds to the suspicion surrounding the site.
How to avoid being scammed when shopping online
Scammers are constantly coming up with creative ways to swindle victims out of their hard-earned cash, so it’s important to take steps to protect yourself. Here are a few ways to avoid scam websites when shopping online:- Shop with trusted retailers: Stick to well-known and established online stores that have a good reputation. Avoid shopping on websites that you’ve never heard of before or that look unprofessional.
- Look for the HTTPS lock: When you’re on a website that’s secure, you’ll see a padlock icon in the address bar and the URL will start with “https://” instead of “http://”. This means that your information is encrypted and protected from hackers.
- Beware of phishing emails: Scammers often send phishing emails that look like they’re from legitimate retailers. These emails may contain links to fake websites or ask you to enter your personal information. Never click on links in emails or enter your personal information unless you’re sure you’re on the real website of the retailer.
- Be careful about social media ads: Scammers often use social media ads to promote fake products or websites. Be wary of any ads that offer products or prices that seem too good to be true.
- Read customer reviews: Before you buy anything, read customer reviews to see what other people have said about the product and the retailer. If you see a lot of negative reviews, it’s best to avoid the product or retailer.
- Be careful about what information you share: Only share your personal information with retailers that you trust. Avoid giving out your Social Security number or credit card information unless it’s absolutely necessary.
- Do your research: If you’re buying something from a new or unfamiliar retailer, take some time to research them online. Read reviews from other customers and see if the retailer has a good reputation.
- Be suspicious of deals that seem too good to be true: If you see a product that’s priced significantly lower than it is on other websites, it’s probably a scam.
- Don’t wire money to sellers: Wiring money is like sending cash, and it’s very difficult to get your money back if you’re scammed.
- Use a secure internet connection: Avoid shopping online when you’re using public Wi-Fi, as these networks are less secure.
