Safe Online Shopping — UK Guide
UK consumers spend over £120 billion online each year — making them a major target for fraudsters. Purchase scams on marketplaces, fake websites designed to steal payment details, and phishing emails disguised as order confirmations are all common. This guide covers how to spot a scam site, which payment methods protect you best, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Warning Signs of a Fake Site
⚠ Price is dramatically lower than competitors
Fake sites often list sought-after electronics, trainers, or designer goods at steep discounts. The item either does not exist or is counterfeit.
⚠ No physical address or UK company information
Legitimate UK retailers must provide a trading address. If there is only a contact form and no address, be very cautious.
⚠ Unfamiliar domain with small variations from well-known brands
nike-outlet.co.uk, amazonuk-deals.com, johnlewis-sale.co.uk — these are not the real sites.
⚠ Only accepts bank transfer or unusual payment methods
Legitimate retailers accept credit cards. Insistence on bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards is a strong fraud signal.
⚠ No or overwhelmingly positive reviews with no detail
A site with only 5-star reviews and vague text ("Great product, arrived fast") has likely generated fake reviews.
Which Payment Method Protects You Best
Credit card
BestStrongest — Section 75 Consumer Credit Act protects purchases over £100
PayPal
GoodStrong — PayPal buyer protection on eligible purchases
Debit card
ModerateModerate — Chargeback available but not guaranteed
Bank transfer (BACS)
AvoidWeakest — very limited recovery if sent to a fraudster
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act means your credit card company is jointly liable with the retailer for purchases between £100 and £30,000. This applies even if the retailer goes bust.
Shopping Safely on Marketplaces (eBay, Vinted, Facebook)
- ✓Always use the platform's payment system — never pay directly to a seller's bank account
- ✓Meet locally for high-value items and inspect before paying (or use a secure handover location)
- ✓Be suspicious of sellers who want to move the conversation off the platform to WhatsApp or email
- ✓Check the seller's rating and review history — look for patterns and recent negative reviews
- ✓For Facebook Marketplace: arrange collection rather than postal delivery where possible, and only pay on receipt
- ✓If a deal disappears after payment, report immediately to the platform and your card issuer
Checking a Site Before You Buy
- 1Check the padlock icon in the browser address bar — this confirms HTTPS encryption
- 2Look up the domain at whois.domaintools.com — very new domains (registered within the last few months) are a red flag
- 3Search the company name on Companies House (find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk) — UK companies must be registered
- 4Search "[company name] reviews scam" before buying — other victims often post warnings
- 5Check the contact page — a real UK retailer will have a physical address and a phone number
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Frequently asked questions
How do I know if an online shopping site is genuine?
Check for a padlock in the browser address bar (HTTPS). Look up the company on Companies House (free at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk). Check reviews on Trustpilot or Google — but be aware that scam sites can fake reviews. Look for a real UK address and phone number. Be very cautious if the price is significantly lower than anywhere else.
Which payment method is safest for online shopping?
Credit card offers the strongest UK consumer protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act — your card company is jointly liable for purchases over £100. PayPal provides buyer protection on eligible purchases. Debit card offers some Chargeback protection but weaker than credit card. Bank transfer (BACS) provides the least protection and should be avoided for purchases from private individuals you have not met.
What do I do if I have been scammed while shopping online?
Contact your bank or card issuer immediately to report the transaction and request a chargeback or Section 75 claim. Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk. If the scam was on a platform (eBay, Facebook, Vinted), report to the platform directly. Keep all evidence — screenshots, emails, receipts.