Protecting oneself and others against fraud and consumer rights abuse

This is the partial competence 4.4 in the competence area 4 “Safety” of the Digital Competence Framework for Austria (DigComp 2.2 AT and DigComp 2.3 AT).

What is it about?

The competence area includes the ability to recognise dubious online shops as well as knowledge about the most important legal provisions on consumer law. This also includes being able to apply measures of consumer rights and to make price comparisons.

What does it mean in practice?

Digitally competent people can assess whether they are dealing with a reputable online store or a fraudulent site. They know the factors that distinguish trustworthy providers from dubious ones, know warning signs that indicate fraud and data misuse and can protect themselves from the latter. They also know their rights when buying online, know how to enforce them and who to contact in case of doubt. Protecting yourself against fraud also involves being able to compare prices in order to assess the adequacy of an online offer.

Why is that important?

More and more purchases are carried out on the internet. Sensitive data such as passwords or payment details have to be disclosed. Therefore, reputable online providers encrypt their pages and offer customers secure payment methods. People with fraudulent intentions try to access these passwords and account data. They ask for sensitive information in different ways and use it for personal gain. It is therefore essential for users to be able to identify the signs of attempted fraud and protect themselves accordingly.

Where can I continue learning?

On the homepage of fit4internet, you will find further background information on the Digital Competence Framework for Austria under the heading “Understanding”. In the section “Learning”, you will find learning offers to increase your digital competence.