Prevalence of Online Buying Scams and Fraud Exposure Among Business Administration Students

Abstract

This study determines the prevalence of online buying scams and fraud exposure among students. Respondents are one hundred seventy-five students from seven College of Business Administration Education proof the University of Mindanao enrolled in A.Y. 2022-2023. The adopted and modified questionnaire was utilized. Respondents are chosen using a purposive sampling technique. Frequency, percentage, average, Mann-Whitney U, and Wilcoxon W are the tools employed. The result shows no significant difference in respondents' exposure to the prevalence of online buying scams and fraud in terms of age, sex, year level, program, lifestyle, and routine activities. Hence, it is concluded that students are exposed to online buying scams and fraud regardless of their profile, lifestyle, and routine activities as long as they patronize online products. Thus, it is recommended that students should be careful with information and products offered online and should refrain from responding to unknown sources or good deals online. Buy from a reliable source/s or in the actual display, and not permit themselves to be influenced by social media endorsers since not all products and messages posted are legitimate and trustworthy. Also, it is recommended that the lawmaking body pass a law that would strongly regulate and penalize online scammers who employ fraud and victimize the innocent. Online sellers should have a license. Implementation and penalties should be stricter and heavier. Academe should make an information campaign among students on do's and don'ts in dealing online. Future researchers may investigate other aspects not covered by this study.