How to shop online safely and avoid scams

Online shopping is convenient and, done sensibly, safe — but it’s also a favourite hunting ground for scammers running fake shops and skimming card details. A few consistent habits keep you on the safe side without turning every purchase into a chore. Here’s the checklist.

Before you buy

Vet the shop first:

1. Check the site is legitimate — see how to tell if a website is safe. Watch for lookalike domains and too-good-to-be-true prices.
2. For unfamiliar shops, search the name plus “reviews” or “scam” and look for a real footprint.
3. Make sure there’s a clear returns policy and genuine contact details.
4. Be wary of deals that arrive by unexpected email or text — go to the shop directly, not via their link.

At the checkout

Protect your payment details:

• Pay with a credit card or a trusted payment service — they offer stronger fraud protection than a debit card.
• Never save card details on sites you don’t use often.
• Confirm the checkout is encrypted (the padlock) — though remember that alone doesn’t prove the shop is honest.
• On public Wi-Fi, turn on a VPN first so your details can’t be intercepted on an untrusted network.

After you buy

Keep an eye on your card statements for anything you don’t recognise, and act fast if something looks off — early reporting limits the damage. Save order confirmations until your item arrives. And if a “delivery problem” text turns up asking for a fee or details, treat it as smishing — couriers don’t collect payment that way.

The mindset

Most online shopping is perfectly safe; the scams rely on haste and trust. Slow down for the unfamiliar shop and the unexpected message, protect your connection on public networks, and pay with something that has your back if things go wrong. That’s 95% of shopping safely.