Helpful Tips for Online Shoppers

Verify the legitimacy of website.

Check the website's URL see if it involves “scam” or “fraud” in other sources. A slight change in URL are often made to represent as legitimate website. Spend time to do some research of the business if you're unsure about it.    

Know who you are dealing with.

When you’re dealing with sellers that have little or no selling history, Google search on the image and search for others that dealt with them before. A genuine seller would not hide their identity or information. Use a service that you know and trust.

Beware of offers that sound too good to be true.

Don't be tempted by offers that are low in price, especially when the seller contacts you directly. Think twice, if the offer is unbelievably low price and you doubted, chances are it probably is a fraud. Weigh the quality of item versus price paid.

Beware of phishing websites.

Don't merely sign up on websites to enjoy great deals, or agree to update account details as requested, your credit card details would then be disclosed. Double check the source before providing your personal information.   

Beware of social media sites' sellers.

Photos posted might not be from legitimate accounts. If sellers failed to ship the product promised or don’t respond, it is a scam. Call up the seller or stop buying from them again in future.

   

Check for refund or return policies.

Read the terms and conditions carefully, check if the policies sound fair. It should contain a list of process to handle disputes or cases for customers' reference. 

Check item’s description properly.

Read on every description carefully. Always ask seller questions if unsure of anything. If spotted difference in the description from the genuine product it claimed, you shouldn’t proceed to buy it.

Read website’s feedback section.

Feedback section provides real time and honest comments from previous buyers. Check the product ratings, comments on service, or any dissatisfaction based on their experiences.

Pay using secured payment service.

Paypal or URL with “https” indicates a secured payment site. Avoid using virtual currencies, wire transfers, money orders, or international funds transfer. There's risk of inability to recover back money once sent since the protection differs from other transaction methods. 

Opt for “cash on delivery” payment. 

Inspect and pay after receiving the goods. It is more secured than transferring money online. Check if item matches with the description online. 

Follow the tips above and be sure to share it with your friends and family around! Be safe, be smart, avoid online shopping fraud from happening to you!  

Sources:
1. Online shopping scams. (2015). Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Retrieved 20 August 2016, from
https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/buying-or-selling/online-shopping-scams
2. Online shopping fraud. (2010). Action Fraud. Retrieved 10 September 2016, from http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/fraud-az-online-shopping-fraud
3. Protect yourself from scams. (2015). Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Retrieved 10 September 2016, from
https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/get-help/protect-yourself-from-scams
4. Manolescu, D. (2014). 6 Essential Tips on How to Prevent Online Shopping Fraud. E-crime Expert Blog. Retrieved from
https://ecrimeexpertblog.wordpress.com/tag/prevent-online-shopping-fraud/