The opportunities and methods for shopping have increased multifold in recent times, and so the dangers associated with them are more technology-oriented as they eliminate person-to-person contacts.
Shopping is the engine of economic growth; it is also essential for all stakeholders to be extremely vigilant as both service providers and end-users are exposed to risks from unscrupulous elements.
The Royal Oman Police (ROP) recently warned customers not to share any personal or bank data, including one-time passwords (OTPs) on the telephone or in online chats.
An IT expert associated with a leading bank told the Observer, “While shopping and payment methods have evolved over the years and have become safer, the threats have also increased due to negligence and ignorance on the part of the consumers.”
He added, “On one side, payments have increasingly become contactless and transparent; at the same time, our personal information is getting stored in the cyber world, unknown to an average Internet user.”
Fatma al Balushi, an avid online retailer of women’s products, said, “Shopping has become easy and simple using mobile applications as well as at traditional retail outlets. If I agree to do a business there has to be some element of trust and good faith, but there is no excuse for illiteracy on the product as well the merchant.”
The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) has been explaining to consumers their rights and duty to ensure a fair game in the market.
“It is necessary to follow the mechanism for receiving complaints and reports and how to solve them, including the importance of keeping the purchase invoices and not being drawn into discounts. Consumers should also stay away from commercial establishments that do not offer proofs or guarantees to products and services offered by them,” according to CPA.
According to official sources, some duties of consumers are very basic and simple such as reading the product information labels, expiry date mentioned on products, and preserving the purchase invoice and warranty certificate.
“Consumers should not make use of all tools available to differentiate between original and counterfeit goods that compromise on the safety and well-being of all consumers.”
Another major threat to consumers is to protect themselves from being victims of misleading advertisements and promotions on various products.
According to the Consumer Protect Law, the provider shall guarantee the quality of the commodities and the services delivered and rendered to the customer in terms of the conformity with the standard specifications and health, safety, and environmental conditions. Where there are no standard specifications for the commodity or the service, the generally acceptable specifications shall apply.
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