Safe online shopping

Why care?

Buying online is quick and easy, which is exactly why criminals like it. Common problems include fake shops that take your money and send nothing, fake goods that look like brand names but are poor copies, and stolen card details. The good news: a few checks before you pay prevent most trouble.

Scams often peak around busy shopping times, such as seasonal sales and holidays, when people are hunting for bargains and expecting lots of parcels. Social media adverts and online marketplaces, where anyone can set up as a seller, need extra care. Treat a stranger selling online the way you would treat a stranger selling something on the street: be friendly, but check before you hand over money.

Check the shop before you buy

• Type the address yourself or use a bookmark, rather than clicking links in emails, texts or social media adverts.
• Look closely at the web address. Fake shops use names that look nearly right, such as an extra letter or an odd ending.
• Search for reviews by typing the shop name plus "reviews" or "scam". Read reviews on independent sites, not only the ones on the shop's own page.
• Look for real contact details: a physical address, a phone number and a clear returns policy.
• Be suspicious of huge discounts, especially on popular items. If a new phone is half price, ask why.
• Watch for pressure such as countdown timers and "only 1 left" messages designed to stop you thinking.

Tip: The padlock symbol beside the web address only means your connection is encrypted (scrambled so others cannot read it). It does not prove the shop is honest. Scam sites have padlocks too.

Pay the safer way

How you pay affects how easily you can get your money back if something goes wrong.

If a seller insists on a bank transfer or gift cards, especially on a marketplace or social media, walk away.

Buying second-hand from a private seller? Where possible, see the item in person in a safe public place and pay when you collect it. Keep all messages inside the marketplace's own chat, because sellers who move you to another app may be trying to avoid its protections.

Protect your accounts and devices

• Use a different strong password for each shop, ideally saved in a password manager (see strong passwords made easy).
• Turn on 2-step verification where offered: here is how.
• Use guest checkout for shops you will only use once, so they do not keep your card.
• Keep your phone and computer updated.
• Avoid entering card details on public Wi-Fi, such as in a cafe, unless you use your mobile data instead.

Delivery scams and after you buy

After shopping, many people get fake "missed delivery" or "pay a small redelivery fee" texts. These are a very common scam. Track parcels only through the shop's own website or app, or the courier's official site. More on this in spotting scam messages.

1. Save your order confirmation emails.
2. Check your bank and card statements every week or two.
3. If something looks wrong, contact your card provider straight away.
4. If you were scammed, report it to your bank and to the police or national fraud reporting service, and to the platform where you found the seller.