Safety tips to follow to avoid scams when buying gadgets online during festive season

Here are five security practices that shoppers can follow in order to ensure that their gadget shopping spree continues without a hitch [File]
| Photo Credit: REUTERS
The recent GST cuts announced by the Indian government in the run-up to the festival season means millions across the country now have an excellent reason to visit their favourite e-commerce platforms and fill up their shopping baskets with new gadgets.However, as more shoppers rush to take advantage of relatively lower prices and seasonal discounts, the chances of being scammed or the theft of personal data can spike.The risk of being scammed or defrauded also increases if you shop for expensive gadgets or high-value goods via e-commerce platforms. Here are five security practices that shoppers can follow in order to ensure that their gadget shopping spree continues without a hitch this festival season.Choose a trusted sellerWhile it might be tempting to order your dream gadget from the seller who offers the lowest price or the quickest delivery time, make sure to vet third-party sellers online to ensure they have a strong and recent track record of delivering high-quality products on time. If customers who have rated the sellers online complain about them sending poor-quality products, lost gadgets, not responding to queries on time, inflexible return policies, or long delivery windows, it is best you look at better-rated alternatives. Read customer reviewsTake a few minutes to read the recently published reviews of customers who bought the same gadget a few days or weeks before you. This can help you understand if other customers had a satisfactory experience with the seller and the item they bought. However, if you see a number of new reviews complaining about damaged products, poor delivery service, malfunctioning items, unprofessional installation, etc. it might be better to buy the product elsewhere to make sure you are not getting a used, returned, or previously damaged item. Check the technical specificationsA picture does not always speak a thousand words. When buying gadgets online, make sure you are aware of technical details such as the exact year in which the product was manufactured, the dimensions of the item, the details of internal parts such as processors or storage capacity, accompanying warranty details, and any relevant installation services. Keep in mind that some gadgets might be retailing online at very low prices because they are old models and may no longer be eligible for technical support and updates. As far as possible, try to buy new products online so that you can avail aftersales services for them without a hassle. Guard your OTPDo not share your delivery OTP unless the delivery agent has arrived in front of you and is ready to hand over your product. Once you have shared the OTP and received the product in your hand, do not agree to give it back to the delivery agent. A common delivery scam involves the delivery agent asking for multiple (non-existent) OTPs and then taking back the gadget when the buyer is unable to provide this, leading to them being robbed without realising it. Make sure you or someone you trust is available to meet your delivery agent. Furthermore, never assume that the delivery agent is a company-verified representative or customer service employee. Do not entrust them with product or seller-related complaints.Shoot an unboxing videoOnce you have received your new product or gadget, take a video of yourself opening the package. First, clearly capture identifying details such as the company’s logo and the seller’s information before filming the box being opened and the product being taken out and displayed from multiple angles. This video will serve as evidence that can be submitted to the e-commerce platform or the police in case you were sent the wrong product or a damaged one. Published – September 23, 2025 02:51 pm IST