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How to Shop Online Safely

6 minute read

Avoid fraud when buying things online.

Online shopping is convenient, but it requires some caution. Here’s how to buy with confidence.

Before You Buy

Check if the website is legitimate

Quick checks:

  • Does the URL start with https:// and show a padlock? (Necessary but not sufficient)
  • Does the company have real contact info—phone number and address?
  • Do prices seem realistic? (80% off everything = red flag)

Deeper verification:

  • Search “[store name] reviews” or “[store name] scam”
  • Check how old the domain is at whois.com
  • Look for the company on social media—do they have real followers and history?

Red flags for fake shopping sites

  • No contact information or physical address
  • Only accepts wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
  • Brand new website (domain registered recently)
  • Prices that are too good to be true
  • Poor grammar and spelling throughout
  • Product images that look stolen (reverse image search them)
  • No real customer reviews (or reviews that sound fake)

Paying Safely

Best payment methods (safest to riskiest):

🥇 Credit card — Best choice

Strong fraud protection by law. Easy to dispute charges. Money comes from the bank, not your account. You have time to catch fraud before paying your bill.

🥈 PayPal / Apple Pay / Google Pay — Good

Extra layer between you and the seller. Good buyer protection policies. Don’t have to share your actual card number.

🥉 Debit card — Use with caution

Money comes directly from your bank account. Harder to recover stolen funds. Less protection than credit cards.

❌ Wire transfer / Gift cards / Cryptocurrency — Never for shopping

Virtually impossible to recover. No legitimate online store requires these. Immediate red flag.

During Checkout

  1. Double-check the URL before entering payment info
  2. Don’t save your card on sites you don’t fully trust
  3. Use a unique password for your account on that site
  4. Review the final price — Watch for hidden fees added at checkout
  5. Save your confirmation — Screenshot or save the confirmation email

After You Buy

  • Track your order using the tracking number provided
  • Go directly to the carrier’s website to track (USPS, FedEx, UPS)
  • Be wary of “delivery problem” texts — These are often scams. Go to the carrier site directly.
  • Check your statement for the correct charge amount
  • Document everything until your order arrives and you’re satisfied

Shopping on Marketplaces

eBay, Amazon third-party sellers, Facebook Marketplace, etc.

Do:

  • Check seller ratings and review history
  • Use the platform’s payment system (not direct payment)
  • Read the return policy
  • Meet in public for local pickups
  • Bring someone with you for high-value items

Don’t:

  • Pay outside the platform (loses your protection)
  • Buy from brand-new sellers with no history
  • Send money before receiving items (for local sales)
  • Share personal info beyond what’s needed

If a deal seems too good to be true…

It probably is. Scammers list popular items at amazing prices, take payment, and disappear.

What To Do If Something Goes Wrong

Item never arrived:

  1. Contact the seller first
  2. If no response, file a dispute with the platform
  3. If you paid by credit card, dispute the charge

Item not as described:

  1. Document with photos
  2. Contact the seller for return/refund
  3. Escalate to platform if needed
  4. Dispute with credit card as last resort

Charged incorrectly:

  1. Contact the seller
  2. Dispute with your credit card company

Quick Summary

✓ Use credit cards for best protection

✓ Verify unfamiliar websites before buying

✓ Never pay by wire transfer, gift card, or crypto

✓ If the price seems too good to be true, it is

✓ Keep records of everything