Online Shopping6 min read20 June 2026
Online Shopping Scams: How to Avoid Purchase Fraud
Learn how to spot fake sellers, unsafe websites, and too-good-to-be-true deals before you send money or payment details.
Purchase scams happen when you pay for goods that never arrive, or that are materially different from what was advertised. They can appear on social media marketplaces, classified sites, fake e-commerce stores, and legitimate platforms where a dishonest seller has opened an account.
Where Purchase Scams Happen
- Social media marketplaces (Facebook Marketplace, Instagram shops) — fake sellers with stolen product photos
- Classified ad sites (Gumtree, eBay) — fraudulent listings for high-value items like cars, electronics, and concert tickets
- Fake e-commerce websites — professional-looking stores that take payment and disappear
- Ticket fraud — fake tickets for sold-out events
How to Spot a Fake Online Shop
| Check | Red Flag |
|---|---|
| Domain age | Site registered recently (check with WHOIS) |
| Prices | Significantly below market value |
| Payment methods | Only accepts bank transfer or cryptocurrency |
| Contact details | No phone number, no physical address |
| Reviews | No reviews, or only 5-star reviews posted on the same day |
| Returns policy | No clear returns or refund policy |
Protecting Yourself
Always pay by credit card or PayPal when buying online — these offer the strongest consumer protections. Bank transfers offer almost no protection once the money has left your account. Check the seller's feedback history carefully. If a deal seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
Not sure if an online shop is legitimate? Paste the website URL into ScammersCheck for an instant safety check.
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