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How do I know if a website is safe to buy from?

Before you buy from a shop you haven’t used, search its name with the words “scam” or “complaint”, and read reviews from people you trust. Pay by credit card if you can, and never pay by bank transfer or gift card.

By Cameron, cybersecurity management graduateBeginner2 min readUpdated

Check the shop first

  1. Search the shop’s name plus the word “scam” or “complaint”, as the FTC suggests.
  2. Read reviews on consumer websites, or from people and organisations you trust.
  3. Check the web address carefully. The NCSC says fake shops copy the look of real ones, including logos and products, and use addresses that are close to the real thing.
  4. Be wary of deals that look too good to be true, especially from links in texts, emails or social media posts.

Don’t click links in messages to get to a shop. Type the shop’s address into your browser yourself, or search for it and read the results before clicking.

Pay the safest way

  • Credit card is best. In the UK, many credit card purchases are protected by the Consumer Credit Act. The FTC also says a credit card best protects your money if something goes wrong.
  • Debit card gives less protection, but you may be able to claim a refund through “chargeback”.
  • PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay: check their terms to see what protection they give.
  • Never pay by bank transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency or a payment app to a shop you don’t know.

At the checkout

  • Only fill in the details you have to (they’re often marked with a star).
  • Choose check out as a guest if you won’t shop there again.
  • Don’t let the shop or your browser save your card details.
  • Protect shopping accounts with a strong, separate password and two-step verification.

If something goes wrong

  • You paid a fake shop: tell your bank straight away, then report it to Report Fraud (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland. In the US, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • The item never came or isn’t as described: try the seller first. If that fails, Citizens Advice explains how to get your money back (UK), or tell the FTC (US).
  • Report a fake shop website to the NCSC so it can be investigated.

Next: learn how to spot a scam text, a common way to get sent to a fake shop.

Sources