Shopping online is very convenient, and you can find some good deals, but it’s best to purchase from companies you recognise or that have a good reputation.
Buying from online stores
Never give your personal or card information to a company you don’t recognise, or that you haven’t checked out first. You should be particularly wary if you spot:
- Spelling mistakes – scam websites may look convincing, but content may be poorly written and full of errors – some may even be intentional, e.g. using the name ‘Lioyds’ instead of ‘Lloyds’.
- The site looks odd – colours, logos and pictures on scam websites may not match those you’re used to seeing.
- Amazing deals – of course you can find good deals on the internet, but if it seems too good to be true compared to other sellers, the items could be counterfeit or it could be a scam.
- Odd payment options – scam websites may ask for payment by bank transfer, rather than credit or debit card. These payments are harder to trace and, if things go wrong, you may not get your money back.
- Pressure selling – scam websites may employ a strong sense of urgency, stating that deals are only available for a short time, or that limited items are available.
Even big-named companies are vulnerable to fraud, but there are things you can check to make sure you’re on a genuine website:
- Look for the closed padlock image next to the website address – this indicates that the page you’re on is secure, although it doesn’t mean it’s genuine. Click the padlock to view website information and its certificate.
- Check the website address – scam websites may use an address that’s similar to the genuine site, so look for subtle spelling differences, the use of symbols and of less common domain names, such as ‘.net’ rather than ‘.com’. In ‘https’, the ‘s’ indicates you’re on a secure site - look for this on any website before you enter any sensitive information.
- Hidden addresses – hover your curser over a link (but don’t click) to see the link destination. Does it look genuine? If not, it could lead to a scam website, or infect your computer/device with a virus.
Underlining all of this, always take your time to research before you make any online purchases. It’s a good idea to check that there’s at least a contact address and phone number on a website, just in case you need to get in touch later.
Buying from an individual online
A lot of the points covered above also apply to purchasing from individuals trading online, whether that’s on social media or a trading website, but there are some specific things to consider:
- Ask the seller questions – if they can’t answer, or try to hurry you into a sale, don’t go any further.
- Requests for advance payment – don’t pay for items until you collect them. This should give you an opportunity to check things over, and means there’s less chance of someone taking your money and failing to deliver.
- Collect with a friend – if you’re meeting a seller in person, don’t go alone.
Be especially careful when you buy from a private seller, as opposed to a business. If something goes wrong, your legal rights may not be the same as when you are dealing with an official business.
Sellers on social media
Again, most of the points above apply to staying safe on social media. Be cautious about deals which seem too good to be true, any links you click and, in particular, what information you share. Information is valuable and, in the hands of a fraudster, could lead to identity theft.
Look for online reviews
Reading about the experiences of other customers should give you a feeling about the company you’re thinking of purchasing from. Obviously, bad feedback is a red flag.
Just be wary that not all reviews may be legitimate or typical, so you need to follow your own instincts to a degree.
Check where the company is based
When buying from a company based in Europe, you may still be protected by some of your consumer rights under UK law, regardless of which country's laws are said to be applicable in the contract.
- Just be aware, if something goes wrong when buying from a company based outside Europe, it’s likely to be more difficult or expensive to put things right.
Want to know more about scams?
You’ll find lots of information online, but we list some of the latest scams on our website. By seeing real examples, it could help you to spot a scam before any harm is done.