MUMBAI: Consumer Guidance Society of India in association with K.E.S Shroff College, Kandivali organized a unique workshop on “E-Commerce & Cyber Security”. The workshop started with an exhibition of documentary film which underlines the importance of cyber security while doing business online.
Dinesh Bhandare, Joint secretary, CGSI, explained about the CGSI’s role and made the participants aware about consumer’s rights. “Consumer is the king but you must be aware of his/her rights and behave like the king,” said Mr. Bhandare.
Mr. Biwalkar, an expert in E-commerce, spoke at length about the precautions to be taken while making online commercial activities. “While buying something online, avoid using Credit/Debit cards and use a prepaid card. Before ordering something please read the return and refund policy,” said Mr. Biwalkar. He also showed the difference between return and refund policy. In return policy he said if you found something defective they will give you replacement for the same. In case you want your amount refund you need to give them the product back with packed and all single small labels. He also cautioned the customers about ordering something by ‘Hawala’ which is a crime under Indian Law.
Sachin Dehia, Cyber Crime Investigator, explained how cyber criminals target ‘greedy’ victims and collect their data online to lure and loot them. “Imagine you get mail saying that you have won 3 free tickets on bookmyshow.com. Getting excited and responding to the mail can land you in a situation where the ‘cyber criminal’ can hack your account and collect all your data and misuse it,” Mr. Dehia explained.
“It is important that you file an FIR immediately after you lose your cell phone. Also remember to keep a password for your memory card if you have personal information in it,” he warned.
CGSI’s other activities include: Consumer education, conducting talks and exhibitions to spread consumer awareness among urban poor and rural areas, testing consumer products and publication of a bi-monthly magazine ‘Keemat.’
CGSI, the pioneer consumer organization founded in 1966 has been working for the protection of consumer interests since last so many decades. CGSI has been selected by the Government of Maharashtra and Government of India and is operating a Toll Free Help Line (No. 1800 222262) for redressal of consumer grievances in Maharashtra. CGSI’s Consumer Complaints Redressal wing receives plenty of grievances from consumers which the legal aid arm addresses on a weekly basis.
