Online scams in Portugal will skyrocket in 2025: Learn how to protect yourself.

Complaints about online scams increase: More 3,886 complaints in 2025.

Between January 1st and May 28, 2025, the Complaints Portal registered 3,886 complaints related to online shopping fraud, representing a worrying increase compared to the previous year.  

Fashion and Jewelry: Most targeted sector.

The sector of Purchases, Fashion, and Jewelry leads the complaints, with 26.76% of the total. Following are Hotels, Travel, and Tourism (17.42%), Internet, Sites, and Businesses (12.74%), Home Deliveries (9.83%), and Banking, Payments, and Investments (8.62%).  

Profile of victims: Women between 35 and 44 years old

Women are the most affected, representing 58.13% of the complaints. The most affected age group is 35 to 44 years old, with 26.25% of the complaints, suggesting a greater exposure of this group to online traps, often disguised in advertising campaigns on social networks.   (Source: https://www.poupancanominuto.com/artigos/poupanca/compras-online-conheca-estes-direitos-de-consumidor)

Lisbon leads in number of complaints.

The Lisbon Metropolitan Area concentrates 29.62% of the complaints, followed by Porto (18.84%) and Setúbal (10.50%).  

How to protect yourself from online scams

• Check the authenticity of the website: Before making purchases, verify if the website is legitimate and has security certificates.

• Be suspicious of overly attractive offers: Prices well below the market can be a sign of fraud.

• Use secure payment methods: Avoid direct transfers; prefer credit cards or recognized platforms.

• Keep the software updated: Use updated antivirus and firewalls to protect your devices.

• Be aware of suspicious communications: Do not click on links from emails or messages from unknown senders.

Savings in a Minute is a brand owned by Financefy, S.A., a credit intermediary registered with the Bank of Portugal under number 0006860. Authorized services include: Presentation or proposal of credit contracts to consumers. Assistance to consumers, through the performance of preparatory acts or other pre-contractual management work regarding credit contracts that have not been presented or proposed by them. Lenders: Bankinter, S.A. - Branch in Portugal, Caixa Geral De Depósitos, S.A., Banco BPIi S.A., Banco Santander Totta, S.A., Abanca Corporación Bancaria, S.A., Branch in Portugal, Banco Ctt, S.A., Novo Banco, S.A., Cofidis, BNP Paribas Personal Finance, S.A. - Branch in Portugal, Union De Créditos Inmobiliários, S.A., Establecimiento Financiero De Crédito (Sociedad Unipersonal) - Branch in Portugal, Bni - Banco De Negócios Internacional (Europa), S.A., Banco Bic Português, Sa, Unicre - Instituição Financeira De Crédito, S.A.