Need to know

Five ways to avoid being ripped off when shopping online - what you need to know

A consumer rights expert has listed some useful tips for people to help them avoid losing money when shopping online

What you need to know to avoid being ripped off when shopping online:

1. A consumer rights champion has said people need to become savvier about online shopping fraud. Jane Hawkes, from consumer advice website www.ladyjaney.co.uk, said: “Shopping scams are the most common form of fraud, with ‘buyers’ losing almost £1,000 on average. Most of this activity takes place using fake websites or counterfeit or non-existent goods with the seller long gone by the time the person realises they are a victim of crime.”
2. But Jane says there are ways you can protect yourself if you do shop online. She adds: “My main message to shoppers is pause before you purchase. Online shopping should be safe, not stressful. A few extra minutes due diligence researching the seller, paying securely and understanding your rights can prevent weeks of frustration, stress and upset later. Online shopping isn’t going away. Nearly nine in 10 of us make purchases online so it’s important that shoppers know what to look out for to avoid being a victim of fraud.” Her tips are outlined below.
3. Research before you commit - Before spending money, investigate the company, product, or person. You should look for verified reviews, check official websites, confirm business registrations, and compare alternatives. A quick online search can reveal patterns of complaints or warnings that save you from costly mistakes. With the growing popularity of resale and small companies setting up their own online platforms, this is particularly important.
4. Check the seller — not just the product. It’s easy to focus on price and reviews of the product itself but the seller matters just as much. Before you click “buy” - check the business has a real company name, address and contact details, look for reviews across multiple platforms, not just testimonials on their own website, be wary of brand-new websites offering luxury goods at huge discounts. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. A good place to start is to search the company name along with key words like ‘complaint’ or ‘scam’ to see if other people have been a victim of fraud.
5. Pay it safe - How you pay can determine whether you get your money back if something goes wrong. Options with most consumer protection include credit cards, which offer Section 75 protection on purchases over £100 and debit cards, which protect you via chargeback schemes. You should always check for the padlock symbol in your browser and ensure the website begins with “https”. If you are buying second hand goods, never leave the platform to do a private transaction.
6. Remember the rule of 14 - Many consumers don’t complain because they assume there’s nothing they can do. That’s rarely true. Under UK consumer law it’s the rule of 14 - You have 14 days to change your mind after receiving online purchases (the cooling-off period), 14 days to return item and 14 days to receive refund. Goods must be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality. If an item is faulty, you’re entitled to a repair, replacement or refund. Knowing your rights is one of the strongest forms of protection.
7. Be alert to fake reviews and social media scams - Scammers are increasingly using social media adverts and influencer-style promotions but there are key signs you should watch out for to avoid falling for fakes, such as dozens of five-star reviews posted on the same day, no negative reviews at all, pressure tactics like countdown timers or ‘last 2 remaining’ warnings, influencers who don’t clearly label paid promotions. You should take a moment to verify before you purchase, urgency is often part of the scam.
8. Act quickly if something goes wrong - if you suspect you’ve been scammed or receive faulty goods you should contact the retailer in writing and make sure to keep records of this. Contact your bank of card provider immediately and get a halt on transactions and if needed, a replacement card. You should also report fraud to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) Get free, independent advice from Citizens Advice. The faster you act, the better your chances of recovering your money.