Most online shopping happens without any trouble at all. But criminals do use marketplaces, social media, and fake websites to target buyers — a little research before you buy makes you a much harder target.

Research before you buy

• Check reviews
• Verify contact details
• Review the return policy
• Look at the seller's trading history
• Confirm the website is genuine

Give extra time to any business you haven't used before.

Be wary of deals that look too good

Extremely low prices are one of the clearest warning signs there is. Scammers create urgency with claims of limited stock, one-day promotions, or exclusive offers — take the time to compare prices with other sellers before you act on them.

Stay on the platform

Marketplaces usually include buyer protections. A seller who asks you to move the conversation elsewhere, pay outside the platform, use bank transfer only, or skip the normal buying process is usually asking you to give those protections up.

Take extra care with high-value purchases

Vehicles, property rentals, travel, high-value electronics, and event tickets all deserve independent verification before you pay. The cost of checking is always smaller than the cost of getting it wrong.

Protect your payment details

Only enter payment details on websites you trust, and don't follow links from unexpected messages or adverts without checking them first.

If something goes wrong

Keep your receipts, screenshots, listings, tracking details, and any communication with the seller. They'll help if you need to raise a dispute or report what happened.