Online Shopping Safety: How to Buy Without Getting Scammed

Shop online with confidence — learn how to spot fake websites, use safe payment methods, and get your money back if things go wrong.

In this guide (6 steps):

1.Check for the padlock — always
2.Stick to trusted retailers
3.Spotting fake websites
4.Safe payment methods
5.Checking seller reviews on Amazon and eBay
6.What to do if things go wrong

Check for the padlock — always

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Before entering any personal details or payment information on a shopping website, look at the address bar at the top of your browser. You should see a padlock icon 🔒 and the address should start with "https://" (the "s" stands for secure). If you see a warning, a broken padlock, or "http://" without the "s", leave the site immediately — it is not safe to enter payment details.

Quick Tip

The padlock doesn't guarantee a site is legitimate — it just means your data is encrypted. Always double-check the website name too.

Warning

Scam sites can have padlocks too. Always verify the exact website address — "amazon.co.uk" is real; "amazon-deals.co.uk" or "amazon.shop-secure.com" are fakes.

Stick to trusted retailers

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The safest places to shop online are well-known retailers: Amazon, eBay (use established sellers with many reviews), Argos, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Boots, Next, and supermarket websites (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons). When buying from a smaller shop, search for the business name plus "review" or "scam" before purchasing — legitimate businesses have a track record.

Quick Tip

For big purchases, price comparison sites like Google Shopping or PriceRunner show the same product across multiple retailers — always buy from the retailer directly, not through dodgy third-party links.

Spotting fake websites

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Warning signs of a fake shop: prices that seem impossibly cheap (50–80% off everything), very recent website creation date, no physical address or phone number, poor English throughout, no real customer reviews (or fake-sounding ones), and payment only by bank transfer or gift cards. Legitimate shops accept credit/debit cards and PayPal. Check the website's "About Us" and "Contact" pages — real businesses provide real details.

Quick Tip

You can check when a website was registered at whois.domaintools.com — a site created last month selling expensive goods at huge discounts is almost certainly a scam.

Safe payment methods

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The safest payment method is a credit card — if something goes wrong (item not delivered, damaged, or wrong), your credit card company must refund you under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act for purchases over $100. Debit cards also offer Chargeback protection. PayPal is also very safe — you can raise a dispute through PayPal's Resolution Center. Avoid: bank transfers, gift cards, and cryptocurrency — these offer no consumer protection.

Quick Tip

Even for small purchases, using a credit card (and paying it off immediately) gives you extra protection. A dedicated low-limit credit card just for online shopping is ideal.

Checking seller reviews on Amazon and eBay

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On Amazon: look for the "Sold by" line under the price — items sold directly by Amazon are safest. For third-party sellers, check their rating (look for sellers with 95%+ positive feedback and at least 100 reviews). On eBay: check the seller's feedback score (percentage and number of reviews). Be cautious of sellers with fewer than 50 reviews or below 95% positive feedback.

Quick Tip

Read 1-star reviews carefully — they often reveal genuine problems other buyers have experienced.

What to do if things go wrong

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If your item doesn't arrive or isn't as described: first contact the seller directly and give them 5 working days to respond. If no resolution, open a dispute through the platform (Amazon A-to-Z Guarantee, eBay Money Back Guarantee, or PayPal Resolution Center). If paid by credit card, contact your card provider and request a chargeback. If paid by debit card, contact your bank within 120 days. If you've been scammed, report it to Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk) and your bank immediately.

Quick Tip

Keep all confirmation emails, screenshots of the listing, and communication with the seller — you'll need these for any dispute.

Warning

Never pay extra money to "release" a parcel or "cover customs fees" for a package you weren't expecting — this is a common parcel delivery scam.

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