Man working on computer with data

SECURITY

Stay safe online this Black Friday

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Mark Paton

Intellectual property

It’s important that you know how to shop safely online and keep your data secure, so we’ve complied some top tips to help you be vigilant. Have you ever seen a deal and thought it was too good to be true? Then it probably was. 
 
Increasingly more and more counterfeit products are finding their way onto our shelves and counterfeit websites are continuously popping up. 
 
The problem is, counterfeit products are not only dangerous, they are also illegal. Fakes such as cartridges, batteries, chargers and accessories, can cause injury and irreversible damage to your devices. If you use a counterfeit battery in your camera, it could overheat – damaging your camera and maybe even catching fire. Print with a counterfeit toner cartridge and it could permanently damage the device and in some cases, cause an explosion. 
 
And when it comes to internet auction sites – you should always be extra careful when using these as they can be the gateway for counterfeiters to sell fake goods to a global market, quickly and anonymously. 

Man working on computer with data

What to look out for

With the ever-increasing rise of counterfeit products and with Black Friday just around the corner, here are some of our top tips on what to look out for when shopping for a deal online; 

• Is the price too good to be true?
Some sites offer up to 90% off recommended retail price. On high value items, that should ring alarm bells. 

• Does the domain name look legitimate?
Obvious misspellings and overly long URL’s can be a sign that something is amiss. Also, keep an eye on the link within social media adverts – is it consistent with the site name or has it directed you elsewhere? If you’re in doubt, it’s best to stick with a popular retailer with a good reputation

• Can you find a company address or phone number on the site?
If the ‘contact us’ page is just a form, with no other means of contact, then you might find that you’re simply typing into the ether.

• Are there T-&-C’s and Data Privacy statements?
A legitimate business will always have policies on shipping, returns and privacy available to view on their site. Make sure they read ok – many fraudulent sites take a standard template for its T-&-C’s which may contain spelling errors. 

• Look for the padlock
If you see a little padlock next to the URL, it indicates that the site is secure. You’ll probably also see they have a https:// prefix instead of http://. The ‘S’ stands for secure and the padlock shows the site has an encrypted checkout process.

Man holding camera

But don’t rely on just one of the above tips. A padlock alone is no indication of a safe site any more than a professional looking domain name. Use all the above to check your online shopping and use your best instincts. If it doesn’t feel right, then don’t part with your money – it’s safer for everyone.  

What to do

If you are worried that you have purchased a counterfeit Canon product, don’t use it until you can confirm its authenticity. You can do this through either one of our authorised dealers or contact us at ipr.info@canon-europe.com

Remember your consumer rights and when you’re shopping for Canon products, our best advice is to stick to a Canon approved retailer or head straight to our online store.

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