Essay: Consumer Behavior, Online Fraud, and COVID-19's Impact

This essay examines the significant impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior, particularly focusing on the rise of online fraud and changing purchasing patterns. The essay begins with an introduction to consumer behavior and its importance to businesses, and then identifies the core issue: increased criminal activities on social networks during the pandemic. It explores the rules governing consumer behavior, including the role of trademarks and consumer rights, while also analyzing various consumer behavior theories. The essay discusses the application of these concepts to the current situation, highlighting the increase in cybercrimes due to increased online activity. It also examines the actions consumers can take to protect themselves, such as verifying trademarks and collecting evidence before purchasing. The essay includes relevant data and concludes with a discussion of potential solutions and the importance of consumer awareness in the face of online fraud and changing market dynamics.

Essay
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
ISSUE..............................................................................................................................................3
RULES.............................................................................................................................................3
APPLICATION...............................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
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INTRODUCTION
Consumer behaviour is effective and valuable part of company. For the customers brand
is very important which reflects overall integrity of company and most of companies sets their
individual departments for managing and controlling issues. For that companies decide their
brand name and the main Issue Company faces with corona virus which is rises of criminal
activities on social network. Thus, the present essay is based on the anti counterfeiting group and
WTR in which company face issues due to corona virus. The report will cover various theories
of consumer behaviour in respective manner as well as issues related with online purchasing
power.
ISSUE
In the present case scenario, the main issue is undertaken regarding corona virus in
context of consumer behaviour. In the present all the purchase and sales of goods and services
happens online due to Covid-19. Presently most of the people face various problems with online
marketing. as per the research, it is proved that recent uses of Facebook, Instagram and
Whatsapp in the recent week (Yezli and Khan, 2020). Main issue with this is rises of criminal
activities on social media and using face trademark for their product and services. Through
customers get damaged product and fake sites are increase wastage of time. Through that
customers are not safe for purchasing product and services through online. According to the new
study research firm kantar, face book, instagram and whatsapp have seen increased usage in
recent week, with this people looking to stay connected during government ordered lockdown to
help combat the corona virus. Thus, in such case the issue is increases fraudsters due to online
purchasing which is increase advantage for criminal activities.
RULES
Meaning:
Consumer is the main and effective part of the market. Customers are puts their efforts
for success of market and through that companies able to increase their sales at market place
(Decker, 2017). That is mainly focus on purchasing products and services at market place in
effective manner. Consumer behaviour is the study of individual customers, group or
organization select, buy and dispose ideas, goods and services in order to satisfy their needs and
wants. Online marketing is important aspect for present day shopping. Present days customers
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are purchase product and services through online platform such as facebook, instagram and
whatsapp. Usually online shopping uses for satisfy needs and wants of their own in effective
manner (Fernandes and et.al., 2016). Corona virus is affect business and its environment in
negative manner because this increase number of deaths and consideration for customers. This
increase the various criminal activities on social network and frauds with customers which is
gives negative impact on customer because criminals are uses fake trademark for sales product.
That is loss trust and interest of customers from company.
Consumer behaviour theories and concept with current issues:
Consumer behaviour is study of individual customer group or organization select and buy
product and services. This refers with various actions of consumer in the market place and
underlying motives for actions. Positive and attractive consumer behaviour is very important and
effective part market because they are main reason for success of market place. There are
different types and kinds of consumer theories which are important to consist by companies in
order to know about behaviour of customers towards company (Howells and Weatherill, 2017).
In respect of that here is includes some kinds of consumer behaviour theories are as follows:
Behaviourist approach: this is the consumer behaviour which reflects about behaviour of
customers towards product and services. Company ACG is sold hand sanitizer another medical
services and product to people. This theories is stated that the behaviour of customer towards
product and services. In the present customers have basic needs which are hand sanitizer and
medical treatment in those customers’ online services for purchasing those products in effective
manner (Kerber, 2016). But, online fraud is increases and creates issues for customers because
customer has trust on the product trademarks which is used by company. Increasing fraud is
reduce trust of customers and faces various issues at market place in negative manner.
Cognitive theories of consumer behaviours are reflect about observed actions of customer
in significant manner. In this customers are taking decision by observing market condition. In
that customers can take decision for never buying products and services through the company
due to fraud by criminal with customers. That is not good for the customers and for company.
This reduces and losing customers interest towards the company. Online issues are increase day
by day because people purchasing product and services by online like face book, instagram and
whatsapp (Liang and et.al., 2018). At the time of cash transfer consumer faces problem with that
fraud through misguided by criminal activity.
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Through that customers are face various problems and another main problem which is
corona virus is gives effect on human body. In the online shopping criminals are used fake
trademark for attracting customers towards the product. There are various problems which are
faced by customers in present situation such as product quality, delivery time is not clear,
payment is confirmed but product is damage that is not satisfied to customers, unclear websites
policies and most important facing trouble with hidden cost.
Section:
It is examined that trademarks is the registered in relations to differentiate the product
and services in the form of classes. As per that company needs to determine that under the trade
mark which has more than 45 classes in the 34 sessions that are relating to the goods and other
11 have focus on those services.
The consumer rights act 2015 represents an effective significant development in the
regulation towards consumers contract act (Lim and et.al., 2016). As per this, consumer have
right to make case on that but in the case of online shopping that is risky and not have proper
document and bill of product. This can create main issues for customers which are not in favour
of customers. In this act, digital content also exists in perspective manner. This implies terms to
quality and fitness for the purpose of goods and services as well as remedies available to
consumers. This encompasses a vast range of product included like apps, game, online shopping
centres and another. That is treated separately from the tangible goods and services but that
protection not is afforded broadly.
Every product and services are supplies through the digitally is including impaled terms
which is only satisfactory quality for the fit particular purpose. That is supplies only for customer
satisfaction but now days customers face problem with digital shopping and fraud which is not
good for the management of business. As per that customers can take help with electronic
commerce regulations is communicated with customers through online service. This help to give
prefect clarity which is t best to understand customers by using web sites are not just people buy
from communication any text or the image.
By following this, online businesses include some important issues like name, address,
company registration number (Lissitsa and Kol, 2016). This help to reduce chances of fraud with
customers in positive manner. As it is examine that people had filed application under the section
US, the law and regulations which are not to be applied from the perspective of US and not
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applied into the uk bodies. Most of aspects are not considered into the trademarks are registered
and controlled by controller in the general of patents, designs and trademark. This can be related
with quality, quantity and time of production of goods and services as well as another kind of
value that are maintained by people in relation for building effective relations with society.
Actions to overcome:
In relations to undertaking goods and services most of the time customer are got confused
at the various actions can be undertaken in respect of differentiating company with other
company products (Marionneau and Järvinen-Tassopoulos, 2017). Most effective think is that
strength of trade mark because most of the companies have strong motive for design the trade
mark. This mainly covers with concept and ideas which are designed by the company. In that
customer requires recognizing correct trade mark of company which is help to customer by
protecting online fraud at the workplace. As that trade mark confused to customers regarding
selecting accurate products and services at market place. Thus, in this manner differentiation
policy is much better and this is to be committed on the bases for defining strong concept in
order to selecting brand name and address.
On the other side, similarity of trademarks is increase confusion which is undertaken
regarding getting application for similar trademarks. In that most of the companies are selling
and dealing with same products and services or most of dealing in different products but uses
same trade mark (Trumbull, 2018). Through that customers are getting confused about the
product and services or in the present scenario it is very difficult to make proper decision about
trademark, than it is make great confusion. In that customer have duty to make proper decision
about selecting proper decision about product and services in respective manner.
Collect some evidence about selecting product and services with other person which is
help to make effective decision about product and services for business. That is help to protect
from fraud with online purchasing products and services in respective and effective manner. as
well as customer have to collect information about company like its promotional and marketing
sessions because usually customers are attracted with proms and some of the communication
techniques (Yezli and Khan, 2020). Promotion channels are promoting product and customer are
highly attracted towards product and services in respective manner.
Major action is taken by customers in relation to save their money and protection with
online fraud at market place which is analysis product and tries to get complete details about
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product and services. This help to reduce chances of fraud in the current situation which is
corona virus and online shopping both are completely related with the aspects in present
situation.
Relevant data:
In this manner, most of the companies are sales hand sanitizer to people but now day’s
customers are purchased those thinks with online shopping and face issues like online fraud. This
is not good for the company and customers. In respect of that customers are need to make
effective differences between product trademarks. This is an effective and valuable transaction
for business.
APPLICATION
With the raising issue of Covid-19, there is an increase in cyber-crimes and that is affecting the
consumer behaviour negatively. As the banks are using limited sources and all the customers are
advised to use net banking or third party mediums, the cyber attackers are generating phishing
calls and emails. They pretend that they are bank officials and steal the sensitive information of
the customers. During the days of lockdown, people are more engaged on Instagram, Facebook,
twitter etc. There are other activities like gaming, watching web series on Netflix, Amazon etc.
in which people are taking use of internet and many times some links are coming for access and
customer provide their personal information in order to use these applications. As a result the
criminals are hacking their accounts or payment gateways. With the increasing use of third party
mediums for payments, spyware and ransom ware attacks the account of customers and that is
leading to an unsatisfied customer. Not only this, the cyber attackers are also targeting the
hospitals and medical institution in order to obtain the information about Covid-19 through
malware practices(Ahmad, 2020).
. The mobile phones and different applications that the customers are using on their phone
are on threat and it is important for them to use antivirus systems for making their data secure
and protecting the sensitive data from cyber criminals. There is a tremendous stress due to the
criminal activities on social media platform and the customers demand instant justice for them.
Not only the criminal activities are increasing, but the customers are also not getting quality of
the product and services that they are expecting the businesses. The delivery time is not clear due
to the situations that Covid-19 has created in past few months. Many products have become
expensive because of which the customers are not able to afford the same. These activities are
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directly impacting the consumer behaviour as their demands will be changing. They will be
searching for products and services that are free from such cyber-crimes and are secure for the
customers. Organisation will require to work effectively to reduce such type of criminal activities
and work effectively to make the customers satisfied with the services that they are providing to
the customers. Businesses are required to use different frameworks and security recommended
practices for the organisations. This reduces the number of victims from cyber security attacks
with the implementation of digital and physical security methods (Gadelrab and Ghorbani,
2020). In order to raise online purchasing power, businesses are required to work effectively to
overcome the issues that cyber-crime is creating in market.
CONCLUSION
From the above study, it had been concluded that the brand management has very important
and effective part of the company and in every business. Thus, it is gain longer advantage for
being had advantage for their brand name must different from of the company. Consumer
behaviours have other elements which have affect to business either in negative and positive
manner. Customers had given hard contribution for making valuable goods by purchasing
products and services through company. As pert the present scenario customer has faced very
biggest problem that has online fraud increases day to day. Through that online business, raises
online fraud and online criminal activities on social network. As per the study, it had been also
concluded that the uses of social sites like facebook, instagram and whatsapp has been increase
in recent weeks because people has free.
In that people collect their needs product through online. In this they faced misleading
chances of products and frauds. In respect of that, report had covered various theories of
consumer behaviour which had helped to understand problems which had been faced by
customers at market place. the main issues which has faced by customers due to corona virus that
raises criminal activities on social sites. The report had been included various laws and
regulations which has related with consumer protection and trademarks. Identified various
actions which had effective for company to use and for customers in order to protect themselves
by online fraud.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ahmad, T., 2020. Corona Virus (COVID-19) Pandemic and Work from Home: Challenges of
Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity. Available at SSRN 3568830.
Decker, C., 2017. Concepts of the consumer in competition, regulatory, and consumer protection
polices. Journal of competition law & economics. 13(1). pp.151-184.
Fernandes, E. and et.al., 2016. Flowfence: Practical data protection for emerging iot application
frameworks. In 25th {USENIX} Security Symposium ({USENIX} Security 16) (pp. 531-
548).
Gadelrab, M.S. and Ghorbani, A.A., 2020. Cyber Criminal Profiling. In Digital Forensics and
Forensic Investigations: Breakthroughs in Research and Practice (pp. 144-163). IGI
Global.
Howells, G. and Weatherill, S., 2017. Consumer protection law. Routledge.
Kerber, W., 2016. Digital markets, data, and privacy: competition law, consumer law and data
protection. Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice. 11(11). pp.856-866.
Liang, F. and et.al., 2018. A survey on big data market: Pricing, trading and protection. IEEE
Access. 6. pp.15132-15154.
Lim, Y.J. and et.al., 2016. Factors influencing online shopping behavior: the mediating role of
purchase intention. Procedia economics and finance. 35(5). pp.401-410.
Lissitsa, S. and Kol, O., 2016. Generation X vs. Generation Y–A decade of online
shopping. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services. 31. pp.304-312.
Marionneau, V. and Järvinen-Tassopoulos, J., 2017. Consumer protection in licensed online
gambling markets in France: the role of responsible gambling tools. Addiction Research
& Theory. 25(6). pp.436-443.
Trumbull, G., 2018. Consumer capitalism: politics, product markets, and firm strategy in France
and Germany. Cornell University Press.
Yezli, S. and Khan, A., 2020. COVID-19 social distancing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:
Bold measures in the face of political, economic, social and religious challenges. Travel
Medicine and Infectious Disease, p.101692.
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