11.11 is almost here, and your feed is already full of "flash sale" ads. Some are real. Some are traps dressed up as bargains. Here's how to tell the difference.

1. Fake Stores: The Pop-Up Shop That Vanishes

• The Vibe: A stall appears overnight selling iPhones for Rp2 million. By morning, it's gone, and so is your money.
• The Simple Example: You find a sneaker store on Instagram with prices half off. They ask you to transfer directly to a personal bank account. The package never comes, and the account blocks you.
• Red Flags: Prices way below market, brand-new accounts, comments turned off, and "transfer only, no COD."

2. Off-Platform Payments: Leaving the Safety Net

• The Vibe: It's like a trapeze act without the net. One slip and there's nothing to catch you.
• The Simple Example: A seller on a marketplace says, "Chat me on WhatsApp, I'll give you an extra discount." Once you pay outside the app, the platform can't help you get a refund.
• Pro Tip: Always check out inside the official app. Your money is held safely until you confirm the item arrived.
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If the deal makes you gasp, check twice before you pay. Today, add only official or verified stores to your 11.11 wishlist.