Vincentians should be vigilant when seeking to pursue educational opportunities online to avoid being caught in any potential cyber fraud.
Students seeking to access online education have been advised to become more informed about the various products and services before making any payments.
Donnette Oneil, Data Base Administrator in the Information Technology Services Division, Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, says consumers must be able to seek redress, if any problems arise in relation to purchasing products online, and it must be negotiated easily in a manner that is quick and trustworthy so that the digital challenges can be resolved.
Reports show that students today have access to many online educational programs – some with promises of quick, effortless degrees that seem too good to be true. Unfortunately, they sometimes turn out to be a hoax. And students who are duped by the schemes are left with a hole in their wallet and no legitimate credential.
Acting Consumer Programme Manager at the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC), Shandon Baptiste, said the NTRC has developed two programmes to tackle cyber crime and cyber security in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She said this initiative was made possible through the efforts of a number of local stakeholders.
Miss Baptiste said it is very important that young people in SVG are enlightened about the challenges surrounding online security.
The remarks and advice were offered at a rally held in Kingstown on Wednesday 15th March, to mark World Consumer Rights Day.
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