Luis Casillas
In Latin America, Mexico emerges as a center of attention. But not because of its cultural riches or natural beauty, but because of its unwanted title as leader in the volume of cyber threats. The vastness of this country, both in geographical terms and in its social diversity, makes it a fertile environment for the emergence of the most varied types of scams and frauds.
In the context of this nation, where the digitalization of society is occurring at an accelerated pace, scams arise in Mexico, a reality that, unfortunately, devastates companies and citizens from all spheres. Discover the main scams that stand out and grow in this country and the reasons behind this wave of fraud.
Most common scams
In Mexico, digital scams have a worrying and diverse presence. These include chargeback, misuse of fake brands and websites, malware and theft of business data.
Chargeback: refund of value for online purchases
In a world where internet purchases have become so commonplace, chargeback has emerged as a mechanism that, although designed to protect consumers from improper transactions, ended up being, in many cases, distorted for the benefit of fraudsters.
The process itself is apparently simple: a customer disputes a transaction made with a credit card, claiming that they do not recognize or authorize the purchase. This measure aims to reimburse the customer in cases of undelivered products, unsatisfactory services or fraudulent charges. However, abuse of this process has become a growing concern.
In many cases, fraudsters have used chargebacks as a ploy to purchase products or services without paying for them. They make a legitimate purchase, receive the product or service, and then dispute the transaction with their credit card issuer, claiming the purchase was unauthorized. This maneuver leaves the seller in a difficult situation. Not only do they miss payment for the product or service, but they can also be penalized with additional chargeback fees and have their reputation damaged.
Brand misuse and fake websites
Outro golpe recorrente que ocorre no México é o uso indevido de marca e a proliferação de sites falsos que se passam por varejistas legítimos ou instituições financeiras. Esses sites são projetados com uma “roupagem” convincente, visando enganar os consumidores que, ao fornecerem seus dados pessoais e financeiros, caem nas armadilhas. A consequência é a exposição a fraudes financeiras e ao roubo de dados sensíveis, acarretando em prejuízos e dores de cabeça para as vítimas.
Malware
Malware is short for "malicious software", and is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of programs or code designed to perform harmful actions on your devices. It could be a virus, a worm, a Trojan horse, ransomware, or other types of malicious programs. Malware infection can occur in several ways, usually when downloading something from the internet or clicking on suspicious links in emails or websites.
Once inside your device, malware can wreak havoc, from collecting personal information to corrupting files and hijacking data. Therefore, it is crucial to stay informed and take security measures, such as installing antivirus programs and adopting safe web browsing practices, to prevent digital viruses from wreaking havoc on your devices and compromising your privacy and security.
Corporate data theft
Last but not least, scams involving the theft of business data are also gaining momentum in Mexico. With the increasing digitalization of companies, this data becomes a valuable target for cyber criminals. The consequences can be devastating, including loss of confidential information, disruption of operations and, in many cases, significant financial losses.
Why are these scams so common in Mexico?
The alarming increase in scams in Mexico is directly linked to the rapid digitalization of society and the large volume of people who are still considered "digital illiterate", that is, without sufficient knowledge of how technology works. Digitization is a double-edged sword, bringing countless benefits, but also exposing the population to cyber risks. In the Mexican context, where digital inclusion occurs at different speeds, scammers find fertile ground for their scams. The lack of adequate digital education and lack of knowledge about online dangers make citizens vulnerable to scams and fraud.
Social engineering is a tactic commonly used by scammers in Mexico. They exploit people's trust and naivety by persuading them to provide confidential information, click on malicious links or carry out fraudulent transactions. The sense of urgency and the promise of tempting rewards are often used to trick victims into acting impulsively.
ClearSale in México
In the midst of this complex scenario, ClearSale stands out as a force opposing scams in Mexico. With its extensive experience in online transaction validation and fraud prevention, ClearSale is the only company in Mexico capable of dealing with high volumes of threats in an automated and efficient way.
By employing a wide range of technologies and strategies to identify suspicious patterns and neutralize threats, ClearSale creates a safer experience for consumers and a trusted business environment for companies.
Scams in Mexico are a reality that affects both consumers and companies. However, ClearSale appears as a synonym for protection, offering effective and automated solutions for fraud prevention.
Do you want to protect your company from malware and all the other scams mentioned in the text? Then you need to adopt a reliable fraud protection solution. ClearSale's Brand Protection is the market-leading solution designed to ensure ongoing protection of your brand against phishing, fake social media, data leaks, counterfeit products, and other scams. Learn more about Brand Protection and protect your brand.
