How can you shop online without losing money to a fake seller?

The price looks good, the seller says only two items are left, and the payment details are already in your chat. Before you transfer money, pause. A convincing advert is not the same thing as a reliable seller.

You cannot remove every risk from online shopping, but you can check who is selling, understand the return terms and choose a payment method with a clear complaint process. These steps matter whether you are buying a phone, shoes or a household item.

Check the seller, not just the advert

Search for the store or seller’s name together with words such as reviews, complaint or scam. Read results from more than one source and pay attention to recent complaints about delivery, refunds and product quality.

Do not rely only on screenshots of customer praise on the seller’s page. Reviews and follower counts can be manipulated. A new account or a small business is not automatically a scam, but you should take extra care when you cannot find an independent history or a way to contact the seller.

On a marketplace, check whether the item is sold by the platform itself or by an individual merchant using it. Read the merchant’s ratings and the platform’s buyer-protection terms. A familiar marketplace name does not guarantee that every listing is genuine.

If the seller has a physical address, check whether it makes sense for the business. An address alone is not proof: it can be copied. Be cautious if every attempt to ask a simple question is met with pressure to pay immediately.

Compare the full price and product details

A low price can be a genuine discount, but a phone advertised far below the normal price deserves a closer look. Compare the exact model, storage, condition and warranty with other sellers. A refurbished or used item is not the same as a new one, even when the pictures look identical.

Calculate the total before paying. Add delivery, installation or other disclosed charges and ask whether there are additional costs on arrival. If a seller changes the price after you pay or repeatedly demands an unexpected release fee, stop and verify the request through an independent contact channel.

Read the listing rather than looking at the photo alone. Check the size, colour, specifications and quantity. For electronics, ask whether the item is new, used or refurbished and what happens if it arrives faulty. Save a copy of the listing because it may change later.

Read the delivery and return policy

Before ordering, find out when the seller expects to dispatch the item, how it will be delivered and whether tracking is available. A delivery estimate is not the same as a guarantee, so ask what the next step is if the package is late or missing.

Look for answers to these questions:

• How long do you have to report a damaged or incorrect item?
• Can you return an item you have opened, and are some products excluded?
• Who pays for return delivery?
• Will you receive a refund, store credit or a replacement?
• How can you contact the seller or marketplace if there is a dispute?

Keep the written policy or a screenshot from the day you order. Do not assume that a verbal promise in a sales chat overrides the published conditions. If the terms are unclear, ask before paying and save the reply.

Choose payment carefully

Use a payment option you understand and check what protection your bank or payment provider actually offers. Some cards and marketplace checkout systems have dispute processes, but eligibility, time limits and outcomes vary. Contact your provider for its terms rather than assuming every payment can be reversed.

A direct bank transfer may be difficult to recover once completed. That does not make every seller requesting a transfer fraudulent, but it increases the importance of verifying the recipient and understanding the risk. Be especially cautious when a supposed marketplace seller asks you to leave the platform and pay a personal account to get a special discount.

Never give a seller your card PIN, banking password or one-time verification code. A person who says they need a code to receive your payment may be trying to authorise something on your account. If a payment request feels wrong, stop and contact your bank through its official app or phone number.

Check the website address before entering details

Type the store’s known address yourself or use a bookmark you trust. A link in an advert, text message or social media post can lead to a lookalike site. Check the spelling of the domain, not just the logo or the appearance of the page.

Look for HTTPS when entering payment information. It helps protect data sent between your browser and the site, but it does not prove the business is honest. Scam websites can use HTTPS too. The US Federal Trade Commission’s shopping guide makes this distinction and recommends checking sellers and keeping records. Its legal details apply to the United States, so check the relevant rules and provider terms where you live.

If you create a shopping account, use a unique password. Our guide to strong passwords can help. Avoid saving payment details on a site you do not trust.

Be careful with social media and WhatsApp sellers

Many genuine businesses sell through Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp. The risk is that a chat profile is easy to create and can disappear after payment. Ask for clear product information, delivery terms and an order confirmation. Check whether the account’s business history matches its claims.

A video of an item is useful only if you know it belongs to the seller. Stock images, copied videos and fake testimonials can all appear convincing. Where appropriate, ask for a current demonstration or use a trusted marketplace checkout, but remember that neither is a guarantee.

If collecting an item in person, meet in a safe public place and avoid going alone to an unfamiliar location. Do not share unnecessary personal information, such as an identity document, simply because a stranger asks for it.

Keep proof of the transaction

Save the order number, receipt, listing, agreed delivery date and messages with the seller. For a transfer, keep the payment reference and recipient details. If the order arrives damaged or incorrect, take clear photos of the item and packaging before disposing of anything.

These records make it easier to explain a problem to the seller, marketplace, bank or payment provider. Keep them private because receipts can contain your address and phone number.

What to do if something goes wrong

First, contact the seller through the platform or the official details you already verified. Explain the problem and the resolution you want. Keep a record of the conversation and follow any reporting deadline in the order terms.

If the seller does not respond or you suspect fraud, report the transaction to the marketplace and contact your bank or payment provider immediately. Ask what steps are available for the payment method you used. A refund is not guaranteed, but reporting promptly gives the provider more information to investigate.

If you entered your password on a suspicious site, change it on the genuine service and anywhere you reused it. If you shared card details, tell your bank promptly and follow its advice. Do not send another payment to someone claiming they can recover your money for a fee.

A few minutes checking the seller and payment terms can save a long argument later. If an offer only works when you rush, it is reasonable to walk away.