How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams and Stay Safe
Key Takeaways
- Make Sure the Seller Is Real: Before buying, look up the company, read reviews, and check for real contact details like a working phone number or active social profiles. A few minutes of research can save you a lot of trouble.
- Don’t Share Extra Personal Info: You usually only need to provide your payment details, shipping address, and phone number. If a site asks for more than that, it’s a red flag.
- Check for a Secure Website: Look for a padlock icon in the address bar and make sure the site uses “https.” If it’s missing, don’t enter your payment information.
- Review Your Bank Statements Often: Check your credit card and bank accounts regularly so you can quickly spot and report any suspicious charges.
- Watch for Signs of a Fake Website: Poor spelling, broken links, and low-quality images can signal a scam site. If something feels off, trust your gut and shop elsewhere.
The internet age has given us many new ways to navigate our lives. From online dating to higher learning, the internet has opened doors to many new ways of doing things. One of the more popular internet activities over the past decade is the rise of online shopping. Nothing beats being able to shop from the Apple Store on Cyber Monday without having to leave the comfort of your couch. eCommerce is here to stay, but how do you avoid becoming a victim of fraud while you search the online racks for your next great cardigan?
Let’s have a look at the top five ways to keep your finances safe while you shop from home.
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1. Qualify the Identity of the Seller
Are you thinking about pulling the trigger on a beautiful set of diamond earrings for your 5th anniversary? Before you click send, have you ensured that the seller you’re dealing with is an actual person? Do your homework before you buy and check the website details thoroughly. Call any customer service numbers that may be available, seek out social profiles to confirm identification, and research the company or seller by reviewing Google reviews from local clients. You can never have too much information, and the more you know, the safer you will be.
2. Avoid Giving Away Too Much Data
When making purchases online, always remember that the only details you should need to hand over to a seller are your credit card numbers, address, and phone number; that’s it. If you are being asked to give any more information than that to make a purchase, your spidey sense should be tingling, and you should discontinue the transaction. With the correct information, thieves can steal everything from you with the click of a button, so keep yourself safe by keeping your cards close to your chest.
3. Only Purchase From Secure Websites
When it comes to eCommerce, faking a website’s data encryption is very easy to do. If the site you’re planning to purchase from doesn’t have Secure Sockets Layer encryption, do yourself a favor and stop the purchase in its tracks. If there’s no padlock icon located within the address bar, it’s a good chance that someone is waiting to steal your information.
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4. Check Your Statements Every Month
Don’t wait for your physical statement to show up in the mail; instead, make sure that you’re tracking your online purchases by viewing your credit card, debit card, and checking accounts frequently. By reviewing your financial assets each week, you’re better able to spot fraudulent charges when they occur, and that means you’ll have tremendous success fighting the fraud charges with your bank.
5. Research the Website You're Buying From
Avoid being taken advantage of by researching the site you are on. When you’re purchasing from a reputable website, it shows. There are no spelling mistakes or improper grammar, and the look and feel of the websites are pretty refined. If there are broken links, spelling mistakes, and low-quality pictures, chances are it’s a fake website.
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Conclusion
Shopping online can be a great way to score massive deals and find hard-to-get merchandise, but it can also open you to all kinds of online fraud. By following these five tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your shopping experience knowing you are safe to spend as you see fit!
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FAQs
What’s the safest way to shop online using public Wi-Fi?
The safest move is to avoid entering payment details on public Wi-Fi unless you’re fully protected.
- Use your mobile hotspot instead of café or airport Wi-Fi when making purchases.
- Double-check the URL for HTTPS and spelling errors before logging in.
- Log out of shopping accounts when you’re done, don’t stay signed in on shared networks.
- Enable real-time browsing protection to block malicious redirects and fake checkout pages.
I clicked a suspicious shopping link, what should I do now?
Act quickly to limit damage and secure your accounts.
- Close the tab immediately, don’t enter any information.
- Run a browser security scan to check for malicious extensions or hidden threats.
- Change your passwords for any accounts you were logged into at the time.
- Monitor your bank and credit card activity for unusual charges over the next few days.
If you’re unsure whether you’re exposed, follow these steps in our guide on what to do if you click on a phishing link.
How do I tell if a “too good to be true” deal is actually a scam?
If the discount feels extreme, pause and verify before you buy.
- Search the brand name + “scam” or “reviews” in a new tab before checking out.
- Look at the domain age, brand-new sites offering 90% off luxury items are a red flag.
- Avoid payment methods like wire transfers, crypto, or gift cards.
- Check for copied product images by doing a reverse image search.
Scammers often mimic big brands, learn the warning signs in our breakdown of Lululemon Scams.
How does Guardio actually protect me while I shop online?
Guardio blocks dangerous sites, malicious downloads, and phishing attempts before they can reach you.
- Real-time browsing protection stops scam sites the moment you click.
- Malicious extension detection prevents hidden add-ons from stealing payment details.
- Phishing alerts warn you if a fake retailer is impersonating a real brand.
- Suspicious download blocks stop malware disguised as invoices or order confirmations.
You can see how all these features work together in this overview of what Guardio does.
Can Guardio protect me on my phone while shopping from social media ads?
Yes, Guardio’s mobile protection blocks malicious links even when they come from apps like Facebook or Instagram.
- Turn on mobile browsing protection inside the Guardio app.
- Enable text message filtering (iOS) to stop delivery and shopping SMS scams.
- Use identity monitoring to get alerts if your email or phone appears in a data leak.
- Avoid in-app browsers when possible, open shopping links in your protected browser instead.
Here’s how to set up full mobile browsing protection so you’re covered everywhere you scroll and shop.
