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India Today
14-07-2025
- India Today
Booked a trip online? Here's how to avoid travel fraud sites
In the digital age, booking a holiday is just a few clicks away. But alongside convenience comes the risk of online travel fraud—a growing concern that targets unsuspecting travellers through fake websites, scam deals, and phishing tactics. According to cybersecurity experts, online travel scams surge during peak holiday seasons, resulting in losses that can run into the a detailed guide to recognising and avoiding online travel fraud to ensure your dream holiday doesn't turn into a TYPES OF ONLINE TRAVEL FRAUDSadvertisementFake travel websites: Scammers create lookalike websites that mimic legitimate travel agencies or hotel booking platforms, offering attractive deals that vanish once you make a payment. Phishing emails and messages: Fraudsters often send emails or WhatsApp messages with 'exclusive deals' or 'urgent booking confirmations,' leading users to malicious media scams: Instagram and Facebook ads or posts offering free or deeply discounted trips may direct you to fraudulent program scams: Scammers may trick you into sharing your travel reward points account details through spoofed login SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FORPrices are too good to be trueInsistence on upfront payments via wire transfer, UPI, or gift cardsPoorly designed websites or a lack of HTTPS encryption (padlock symbol in the URL)Spelling errors and vague contact informationPressure to 'act fast' or 'book now'Lack of verifiable customer reviews or feedbackHOW TO VERIFY A TRAVEL WEBSITE OR AGENTCheck domain authenticity: Ensure the URL is correct and ends with a trusted domain, such as .com or .in, and not an obscure or misspelled for IATA or government certifications: Verify if the agency is registered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) or the Ministry of Tourism (India).Search reviews independently: Don't rely solely on website contact details: Call the customer service number or send an email before making any PRACTICES WHILE BOOKING ONLINEUse trusted platforms: Stick to reputable sites, such as those directly through airline and hotel credit cards for payments: Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards or bank two-factor authentication: Secure your email and payment accounts with 2FA to avoid unauthorised share sensitive information: No legitimate agent or site will ask for OTPs, bank PINs, or booking records: Always take screenshots or keep copies of your booking confirmation and payment TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT A SCAMCybercrime report: File a complaint on the Government of India's Cybercrime portal – your bank immediately: If you've made a transaction, notify your bank to freeze or reverse the report: If you are scammed through an online listing or ad, report the fraud to the platformWarn others: Leave reviews or flag the fraudulent source on social media to prevent others from falling into the same an era where digital convenience reigns, staying alert and informed is your best defence against online travel fraud. Always remember: if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.- Ends
Time Business News
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Scaling Visibility: SEO St George Tactics for Dynamic Business Growth
Regional search visibility often creates momentum beyond local boundaries. When businesses focus on appearing for the right local searches, word-of-mouth and regional authority grow faster, translating to wider opportunities. Success relies on three main strengths: content relevance, technical soundness, and performance tracking. These areas boost rankings while improving user satisfaction. Content draws the right visitors, technical structure supports smooth site performance, and tracking helps guide future steps. A disciplined approach—combining meaningful content with a stable, well-designed site and ongoing measurement—can move even crowded niches ahead. One case involved a service provider struggling against stronger competitors. By producing in-depth resources, improving site load times, and reviewing analytics regularly, they saw sustained gains: more qualified leads, better rankings, and improved local reputation. Businesses that align their digital presence with these foundations create a path for steady, measurable growth. Understanding what customers search for is the first step. Start by using keyword tools to spot the themes that matter most in St George. Focus on search terms that signal clear intent to buy or learn, as these bring more engaged users. Once you gather keywords, organize them into topic clusters. Each cluster can support a different asset—think blog posts for advice, resource pages for details, and FAQs for simple questions. This structure helps search engines find and understand all your topics. Use natural language and keep a conversational tone. Instead of stuffing pages with repeated keywords, include related terms and phrases that occur during real conversations. Adding synonyms and long-tail variations signals relevance to both search engines and readers. Don't ignore content you already have. Updating older posts with new info, current stats, and up-to-date answers shows freshness. This also helps new pages by linking them to strong, established content. Cluster Topic Asset Type Example Focus Home Services Blog Post 'Seasonal Maintenance' Legal Questions FAQ 'Understanding Contracts' Local Attractions Resource Page 'Parks and Recreation' Solid content reflects current demand and keeps your pages relevant. Technical health shapes user experience and impacts rankings. Start with site speed. Compress images and use modern formats to minimize load times. Remove unused code and minify files to help browsers load pages faster. Mobile-first rendering ensures every device displays your site properly. Test pages on various screens, adjusting fonts and buttons for easy taps. Use HTTPS to protect user data, as secure protocols are now a ranking factor. Structured data markup helps search engines interpret your content. Markup can highlight operating hours, reviews, or services, leading to rich results in search. Common pitfalls include oversized images and unminified scripts, which slow the site. These quick fixes can offer noticeable improvements: Swap large images for compressed versions Use lazy loading so images appear as users scroll Remove render-blocking resources Minimize redirects For deeper audits, consult a professional service. Many agencies offer advanced checks—visit SEO St George for expert help. Ongoing monitoring keeps your site performing well: Lighthouse for overall site quality PageSpeed Insights to track load times Bing Webmaster Tools for indexing issues Regular technical reviews prevent problems from piling up. Tracking performance turns guesswork into smart action. Four metrics matter most: Organic Click-Through Rate (CTR): Measures how many people click your listing. Low CTR means your title or meta may need work. Measures how many people click your listing. Low CTR means your title or meta may need work. Time on Page: Shows how engaging your content is. Short times may signal irrelevant info. Shows how engaging your content is. Short times may signal irrelevant info. Conversion Rate: Reveals if visitors take key actions—calls, signups, purchases. Reveals if visitors take key actions—calls, signups, purchases. Crawl Error Rate: Tracks how often search engines struggle to access your pages. Set up custom dashboards in tools like Google Analytics. Scorecards let you spotlight top pages or problem areas. Set alerts for sudden drops or spikes. This keeps you informed and ready to act. Try simple A/B tests to improve results—change a headline or edit a meta description, and watch the CTR or conversions for two weeks. If one version outperforms the other, keep it and test the next idea. Follow an easy cycle: Form a hypothesis (e.g., 'shorter headlines increase clicks') Run the experiment Review the results using your dashboard Refine based on the data Continuous improvement relies on real performance data, not assumptions. Stay ahead by scheduling quarterly checks. Audit content, review technical details, and study analytics for new trends each quarter. Growth comes from regular improvements, not quick surges. Use this checklist every 90 days: Review top- and low-performing content (content inventory ranking) Check page speed, security, and mobile experience (technical health scan) Summarize top metrics and set goals (analytics performance snapshot) Bookmark the checklist and look over it at least once a quarter. Choose one task from the list to prioritize this week. Small, steady changes deliver lasting search visibility and business results. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Business Standard
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Equence Technologies Becomes The Silent Force Behind India's Fastest-Growing Communication Workflows
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 9: Since its inception in 2016, Equence Technologies has emerged as a leading Communication Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) provider in India, transforming how businesses connect with their customers in real time. With headquarters in Mumbai and regional offices in Bangalore and Noida, Equence has established itself as a trusted partner to over 200 brands, including top-tier institutions such as ICICI Bank. Founded by Mr. Pushpendra Kumar (CEO), Pankaj Behera (CTO), and Amber Jain (COO), the company began its journey with just eight employees and a vision to simplify complex digital communications. The name "Equence", inspired by the word "sequence," signifies order and progression, with the "E" representing the digital nature of its services. At the heart of Equence's USP is a reliable, scalable omnichannel communication platform that integrates SMS, Voice, WhatsApp, Email, RCS, and more, backed by expert consulting and compliance-first infrastructure tailored for emerging markets. "Our strength lies not just in the technology, but in how we empower businesses to use it. We help clients go to market faster, communicate smarter, and scale securely," says Mr. Pushpendra Kumar, CEO. Equence's CPaaS solution is built on a robust on-premises infrastructure, RESTful APIs, and modern communication protocols (SMPP, SIP, HTTPS). It allows integration through straightforward JSON-based APIs, so it is easily translatable across different tech stacks, ranging from SMEs to big organizations dealing with as many as 20 million messages per day. Since its product launch in 2017, Equence has established a solid reputation for reliability, performance, and innovation. Equence also takes a head start in AI-powered communications, incorporating ChatGPT models into its WhatsApp and voice chatbots as part of its solutions for intelligent automation and context-aware dialogues. Equence's product family is designed for omnichannel, compliant, and custom communication. Whether a startup that sends 100 messages a day or an enterprise that sends 2 crore messages per day, the system scales effortlessly. Key features: - * Plug-and-play JSON APIs for quick integration * End-to-end compliance support (DLT, TLS, MFA) * Omnichannel dashboards with real-time analytics * Vertical-specific solutions for BFSI, e-commerce, logistics, and more * Upcoming in-house Dispatcher platform for unified vendor management Internally, cross-functional teams ensure customer experience is not only an objective, but it's a quantifiable deliverable. Software such as Freshdesk and feedback loops ensure high satisfaction ratings are maintained. Equence is still fully funded by itself, proof of its model of sustainable growth and operational strength. Strategic alliances with Indian telecom companies, META (WhatsApp), and Google (RCS through VI) have extended its reach and capabilities. In the short term, Equence will release an upgraded UI with highly integrated channels and a Dispatcher solution that will enable clients to orchestrate multi-vendor communication workflows smoothly. In the long term, the company is aiming for aggressive growth in gaming and e-commerce, along with extending into the UAE and Middle Eastern markets. Its compliance, automation, low-code tools, and AI integration focus make it a future leader in the fast-changing CPaaS space. "We see CPaaS becoming more intelligent, secure, and democratized. Equence is building for that future, especially for businesses in high-growth, regulation-heavy markets," adds Mr. Pankaj Behera, CTO. About Equence Technologies Founded in 2016, Equence Technologies is a leading CPaaS provider offering omnichannel digital communication platforms designed for speed, compliance, and scale. With operations in Mumbai, Bangalore, and Noida, Equence serves hundreds of businesses across finance, retail, healthcare, and more. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
1200+ fake Amazon sites detected ahead of Prime Day Sale: How to check real deals
With Amazon's much-awaited Prime Day sale kicking off from July 12, cybersecurity researchers have issued a stark warning: cybercriminals are ramping up phishing attacks to exploit shoppers looking for deals. These fake Amazon sites are backed by convincing emails claiming account issues or refund errors to create urgency.(Unsplash) According to new findings by cybersecurity firm Check Point Research, more than 1,230 new fake Amazon domains were registered in just the first few weeks of June. These malicious domains are designed to trick unsuspecting users into giving up personal information by imitating Amazon's branding, just days before one of the biggest e-commerce events of the year. Phishing emails disguised as Amazon support The fake websites aren't acting alone. Researchers say attackers are pairing these domains with highly convincing phishing emails, mimicking Amazon's customer support team. Subject lines like 'Refund error,' 'Account suspended,' or 'Unusual login activity' are being used to create panic and urgency. Once users click the embedded links, often labelled as 'Update your address' or 'Fix account issue', they're redirected to fake login pages. These pages look legitimate but are designed to harvest login credentials, credit card numbers and other sensitive information. 'Most of these phishing pages are alarmingly convincing and even include secure-looking padlock icons,' said a spokesperson from Check Point. 'But they're fake. Users need to double-check URLs and think before they click.' How to spot the fake Amazon sites Experts warn users to avoid any website with suspicious domain endings like .top, .online, or those filled with hyphens and extra characters. If in doubt, manually type or into your browser rather than clicking through emails. Other red flags include websites that lack HTTPS encryption, ask for too much personal information, or pressure users with urgent messages. How to check real deals and stay safe during the Sale With scams becoming increasingly sophisticated, here are a few expert-backed tips to shop smart: Avoid strange-looking links: URLs that end in unfamiliar domains or have odd formatting are red flags. Stick to the official Amazon app or a manually typed web address. Don't trust urgent emails: Messages claiming account issues or asking you to act immediately should raise suspicion. Open a new tab and verify directly on Amazon's site. HTTPS isn't foolproof: While the padlock icon is helpful, scammers can replicate it. Always double-check the domain name carefully. Use two-factor authentication: Enable it on your Amazon account for an added layer of protection. It prevents account takeovers even if your password is compromised. Watch out for too-good-to-be-true deals: An 85% discount on a new iPhone? If it's not on Amazon's actual site, it's probably a scam. Stick to secure payment methods: Use credit cards, virtual cards, or payment apps that offer buyer protection. Avoid wiring money or using direct bank transfers. Scammers thrive on urgency, confusion, and too-good-to-be-true offers and Prime Day gives them the perfect setup. So, while you're searching for the best deals, take a few seconds to verify before you click. This year, the best Prime Day deal might just be keeping your data safe.
Scottish Sun
07-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Expert's seven tips to save HUNDREDS on Amazon Prime Day – and the big mistakes to avoid
"Cybercriminals are capitalising on the buzz around Amazon Prime Day 2025" PRIME TARGET Expert's seven tips to save HUNDREDS on Amazon Prime Day – and the big mistakes to avoid CYBER criminals are cashing in on a shopping boost sparked by Amazon Prime Day, experts have warned. Today, and for the next three days, the online marketplace offers up thousands of hard-to-resist deals. 2 Shoppers will be online today snapping up deals 2 Omer Dembinsky gives his expert tips And the high-stakes buying frenzy is a magnet for scammers, according to the team at Check Point research. In June alone, more than 1,000 new domains with names resembling Amazon appeared online. A total of 87 per cent of these have already been flagged as malicious or suspicious. The fake domains, which try to masquerade as authentic Amazon portals, aim to steal login credentials and personal information. Omer Dembinsky, Group Manager in Research and Threat Intelligence at Check Point Software Technologies, said: 'Cybercriminals are already capitalising on the buzz around Amazon Prime Day 2025, creating fake websites and phishing scams designed to trick shoppers out of their personal and payment information.' Here the expert shares seven ways shoppers can avoid falling victim to the online fraudsters. FAKE SALE SCAMMERS are getting ever more clever in their pursuit of fraud - and creating fake sites to lure in shoppers is one of the newest ways they're cashing in. The Check Point experts revealed that Amazon02atonline51[.]online is just one newly-registered, fraudulent site designed to mimic the Amazon Sign-in page. In reality, this is a phishing site that targets German customers. And a successful attack can lead to unauthorised purchases, identity theft or gift card abuse. Omer said: 'Many malicious domains closely mimic Amazon's real URL. Look out for extra characters, odd domain endings (like .top or .online), or hyphenated brand names.' Monzo App Outage: What Happened and What Customers Should Know MAKES YOU LINK ONE of the classic tricks scammers use to con shoppers is phishing. Messages are crafted to create urgency like 'refund errors' or 'account issues,' luring victims into clicking. Check Point Research recently intercepted a phishing campaign spoofing Amazon. One email used the subject line 'Refund Due – Amazon System Error', tricking recipients into clicking a link to 'update their address.' It led to a fraudulent page created to harvest the user's credentials. Omer added: 'If you receive an email about your Amazon account, don't click links. Instead, open your browser and go directly to or use the official Amazon app.' LOCK IT IN THERE are ways to make sure a website is safe and secure to visit. Omer says shoppers should make sure any website they enter personal information on uses HTTPS. He said: ' Look for this and the padlock in the address bar - though remember that even some malicious sites can fake this, so always double-check the URL itself.' Meanwhile, once you are on a safe website it's essential you use a strong password to log in. The expert added: 'Use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication on your Amazon account to reduce the risk of account takeover.' PRIMAL FEAR ONLINE fraudsters tend to prey on people's worries and fears to dupe them out of personal details and money, often creating a false sense of urgency. The experts say that you should always slow down and take time to think if you receive a message that tries to force you into quick action. Just like banks, bona fide platforms will never make you act impulsively or share information without good reason. Omer said: 'Scammers often try to panic you into acting fast. Be wary of any message that tells you your account will be suspended unless you act immediately.' DEAL'S A STEAL WHILE there are some brilliant offers available during Amazon Prime Day, watch out for bargains that seem unrealistic. Con artists use hard-to-resist deals, with low prices on typically expensive items, to lure in victims, often suggesting they are available for a limited time. But often this is just another way to scam people out of information and cash. Watch out for poor grammar and vague details on these buys. Omer added: 'If an offer looks too good to be true, especially outside Amazon's official site, it probably is. Luxury goods or electronics at extreme discounts are a common bait.' PAY THE PRICE HOW you pay is just as important as making sure you are on a safe and secure site. Payment options like direct wire transfers, debit cards and prepaid cards are all considered to be less secure, as they don't offer as much protection against fraud compared to credit cards. Meanwhile, using third-party payment apps, such as Venmo or CashApp, with strangers can be risky too. The expert says: 'Whenever possible, use secure and traceable payment options, such as virtual credit cards or payment apps, which add layers of protection and are easier to dispute in the case of fraud.' APPY SHOPPER MOST people these days shop on their phones while they are out and about. But it can be easy to make mistakes. Omer says: 'If you're browsing deals on your phone, stick to official retailer apps downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play. 'Avoid clicking on promotional links in text messages, social media ads or pop-up banners, as these are common tactics used by cybercriminals to deliver fake deals or phishing pages. 'Shopping through verified apps not only ensures you're accessing legitimate deals but also adds an extra layer of security, with built-in protections from the mobile platforms.'
