Bulgarian Commission for Consumer Protection warns of rising online shopping scams

The Bulgarian Commission for Consumer Protection (CCP) has reported an increase in signals regarding online shopping fraud, including fake offers, non-delivery of goods, and bank card abuse. The commission is urging citizens to verify the reliability of merchants before providing personal or payment data.

Reported scams include social media advertisements featuring obviously fake phone numbers, where consumers place orders but never receive their items. There are also misleading offers for sanitary products, such as dental veneers and prosthetics, from companies using false addresses. Additionally, the CCP has identified fraudulent lotteries and promises of easy profits designed to collect personal information, credit card details, and PIN codes through immediate money transfers.

Victims are predominantly elderly individuals, people with special needs, or those with health problems, often targeted with offers for mattresses, blankets, pillows, and household appliances. The CCP noted that while they assist in cases such as recovering funds for elderly victims, the criminal nature of these activities and the difficulty in establishing responsibility mean that stolen funds are not always recoverable.