Stop. Check. Protect.
Tips for shopping safely online
This short guide is a reference tool to help refresh your knowledge or practise what you have learned in the Stop. Check. Protect. Tips for shopping safely online online video course. You’ll learn about:
- some of the signs of online shopping scams
- ways to guard against online scams
- steps you can take if you’ve been scammed.
About shopping online
Shopping online can be easy and convenient, but not everyone you deal with online can be trusted. Many scams are sophisticated and difficult to recognise, but there are steps you can follow whenever you buy or sell online to help protect your money and personal information.
Stop. Take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone.
Check. Make sure the person or business you’re dealing with is genuine.
Protect. Act quickly if anything seems suspicious.
Purchasing online
Some red flags that target buyers include:
- The web store or seller reviews are all positive and give little detail.
- An expensive item is offered at an unrealistically low price.
- The website has no returns information or terms and conditions.
- The seller does not display an ABN, privacy policy or consumer rights information.
- Unusual payment requests, such as:
- money orders
- pre-loaded or pre-paid cards
- multiple PayIDs or bank accounts
- requests to pay unfamiliar businesses.
- Delivery messages from Australia Post or a courier service when you are not expecting a parcel.
Scams can result in:
- losing your money
- receiving an item you didn’t order
- having your personal information stolen.
Selling online
Some warning signs of scams that target sellers include:
- buyers offering too much money
- requests to refund fake overpayments
- emails claiming payment that has not been received.
Safeguarding against scams
To help protect yourself against scammers you can:
- check ABNs on business.gov.au
- watch out for deals that are too good to be true
- avoid shopping through social media ads
- check web addresses for spelling errors
- read independent reviews
- research standard retail pricing
- use PayPal or credit card
- confirm payment has cleared before shipping.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
- Contact your bank immediately and freeze credit cards.
- Change passwords and passphrases.
- Contact IDCARE if identity information is involved.
- Report the scam to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam