The Christmas and New Year festive season has arrived, bringing with it the joy of giving, family gatherings, and the excitement of attractive online shopping deals.
From discounted electronics to festive fashion sales, many Ghanaians now rely on online platforms and social media shops to make their holiday purchases quickly and conveniently.
However, as legitimate businesses step up their promotions, cybercriminals are also becoming more active. Across Ghana and the rest of the world, the festive period remains one of the busiest times for online scams.
Cyber threats such as phishing emails, fake online shops, identity theft, password hacking, ransomware attacks, and payment fraud increase significantly as shoppers rush to beat delivery deadlines and secure bargains.
In Ghana, reports to the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) over recent years continue to show a steady rise in cybercrime incidents, highlighting how vulnerable online users can be, especially during peak shopping seasons.
This makes it more important than ever to stay informed and cautious.
To help you enjoy a safe, stress-free festive shopping experience, here are seven practical and reliable ways to protect yourself while shopping online.
1. Shop only on trusted and verified websites
Always choose well-known and reputable online stores. Established platforms such as Jumia, Amazon, and other recognised local e-commerce websites have security systems in place to protect buyers.
Before entering any personal or payment details, confirm that the website is secure. Look for “https” at the beginning of the web address and a padlock icon in your browser.
These signs indicate that your information is encrypted and less likely to be intercepted by cybercriminals.
2. Be wary of deals that look too good to be true
That advert offering a brand-new smartphone, television, or laptop at an unbelievably low price should immediately raise red flags.
Scammers often use extreme discounts to pressure shoppers into making quick decisions without proper checks. Before purchasing, compare prices across multiple platforms.
If one offer is drastically cheaper than all others, it is likely a scam designed to steal your money or personal information.
3. Carefully verify social media sellers
Shopping through WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok has become common in Ghana, but not all online sellers on these platforms are genuine.
Before buying, review the seller’s page carefully. Check customer reviews, comments, and previous posts. Genuine sellers usually have consistent engagement, clear contact details, and transparent business information.
Be cautious if comments are turned off, complaints are frequent, or the seller pressures you to pay quickly without answering questions.
4. Use secure and traceable payment methods
Avoid making direct bank transfers to sellers you do not know or trust. Once the money is sent, it is often difficult—if not impossible—to recover it if something goes wrong.
Instead, use safer payment options such as mobile money with transaction records, debit or credit cards, or payment services that offer buyer protection and dispute resolution. These options provide an extra layer of security and can help you take action if you are defrauded.
5. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and messages
During the festive season, scammers frequently send fake emails, SMS messages, and social media links claiming to offer exclusive discounts, giveaways, or delivery updates.
Clicking on such links can expose your phone or computer to malware or lead to fake websites designed to steal your login and banking details. To stay safe, ignore unsolicited messages and always visit retailers’ websites directly by typing the address into your browser.
6. Protect your personal information and passwords
During festive shopping, many people create new accounts or log in on multiple devices, which increases the risk of account compromise.
Use strong, unique passwords for your shopping, email, and mobile money accounts. Avoid using easily guessed details such as your name, date of birth, or phone number.
Where possible, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) so that even if someone gets your password, they cannot access your account without an extra verification step.
Also, never share one-time passwords (OTPs), PINs, or verification codes with anyone, even if they claim to be from a bank, courier service, or online shop. Legitimate companies will never ask for this information.
7. Monitor your transactions and act quickly if something feels wrong
After making online purchases, regularly check your mobile money statements, bank alerts, and email confirmations.
If you notice any unfamiliar charges, failed deliveries, or suspicious activity, report it immediately to your bank, mobile money provider, or the platform you used. Acting quickly increases the chances of stopping further losses and recovering your funds.
In Ghana, you can also report cybercrime incidents to the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) or seek guidance from your service provider. Trust your instincts—if something doesn’t feel right, it’s better to investigate early than wait.
