The boleto bancário is one of the payment methods most used by Brazilians because it is practical, simple and accessible to everyone. But, contrary to popular belief, it is not the safest method to shop online. According to Konduto, a Brazilian company specialized in fraud analysis, there are very common criminal practices involving bank slips, which can harm both the consumer and the shopkeeper.
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The credit card is the safest way for consumers to buy on the Internet, according to Konduto. While the customer can request the card operator to reverse improper charges on his invoice, the boleto does not offer this guarantee. Scams alter the bank slip and divert payment and it is very difficult to get the money back. To help you prevent fraud, the dnetc prepared a list of the three most common scams in bank slips on the Internet.
Meet three scams on bank slips on the Internet – Photo: Reproduction / Kaspersky
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A virus installed on the computer can change the data that can be entered in the boleto bancário. Called Bolware, it is used by criminals to tamper with the receiving account and the original value of the ticket issued on the Internet. When the consumer pays the defective bill, the amount is transferred to the account of the scammer or third parties. In the end, the store does not receive the purchase price, and the consumer, who believes he has made the payment correctly, does not receive the product.
To avoid being a victim of bolware, install an updated antivirus on your computer. Before paying, also check if the ticket is false. Your data and that of the shopkeeper must be filled in correctly in the document. The virus can affect the bank code and barcode spacing – which cannot be read automatically.
2. False salesman scam
In this scam, an alleged seller advertises a fake product in online stores. When the consumer initiates the purchase process, the fraudster tries to direct the conversation to email, WhatsApp or another chat with the promise of a tempting discount. The victim is induced to pay the fake ticket, the money is directed to the criminal’s account and the product is never delivered.
The situation is complicated, because as the consumer has chosen to make the purchase in another environment, outside the “secure” system of the platform, the virtual store is not obliged to be responsible for the fraud.
To avoid falling victim to the fake seller, it is important to complete the payment within the purchase platform. Most marketplace sites offer protection systems for purchase with the right to chargeback, such as PagSeguro and MercadoPago, in case of problems with payment or shipping of products. If the seller insists on an alternative form of payment, be wary.
Example of a billet altered by a virus called Gameover Zeus – Photo: Disclosure / Kaspersky
Consumers are not the only victims of Internet fraud. This scam occurs when an e-commerce company tries to harm one of its competitors using the boleto bancário payment system.
The disloyal shopkeeper buys a large quantity of products that are on sale at the competitor’s store, and the products are reserved until the expiration date of the ticket. This makes it impossible for customers to purchase the items in question. Billets will never be paid, causing purchases to eventually be canceled.
The shopkeeper is hurt by the situation, as he will not sell his products on sale. Meanwhile, the competitor who carried out the inventory hijacking takes the opportunity to sell the same items to real customers. In order not to take losses, merchants must use anti-fraud systems to identify suspicious purchases or limit the quantity of products per buyer.
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