Online shopping scams involve scammers pretending to be legitimate online sellers.

Online shopping scams involve scammers pretending to be legitimate online sellers, either with a fake website or a fake ad on a genuine retailer site.

While many online sellers are legitimate, unfortunately scammers can use the anonymous nature of the internet to rip off unsuspecting shoppers.

Scammers use the latest technology to set up fake retailer websites that look like genuine online retail stores. They may use sophisticated designs and layouts, possibly stolen logos, and even a domain name similar to an authentic retailer.

Many of these websites offer luxury items such as popular brands of clothing, jewelry and electronics at very low prices. Sometimes you will receive the item you paid for. More likely than not, if you receive anything, it will be a knockoff of the item you thought you purchased. Other times you will receive nothing at all.

The biggest tip-off that a retail website is a scam is the method of payment. Scammers will often ask you to pay using a money order, pre-loaded money card or wire transfer, but if you send your money this way, it’s unlikely you will see it again or receive your purchased item.

A newer version of online shopping scams involves the use of social media platforms to set up fake online stores. Scammers open the store for a short time, often selling fake branded clothing or jewelry. After making a number of sales, the stores disappear. Scammers also use social media to advertise their fake website, so do not trust a site just because you have seen it advertised or shared on social media. The best way to detect a fake trader or social media online shopping scam is to search for reviews before purchasing.

Warning Signs

• A product is advertised at an unbelievably low price or advertised to have amazing benefits or features that sound too good to be true.
• The other party insists on immediate payment, or payment by electronic funds transfer or a wire service. They may insist that you pay up-front for vouchers before you can access a cheap deal or a giveaway.
• The social media based store is very new and selling products at very low prices. The store may have limited information about delivery and other policies.
• An online retailer does not provide adequate information about privacy, terms and conditions of use, dispute resolution or contact details. The seller may be based overseas, or the seller does not allow payment through a secure payment service such as PayPal or a credit card transaction.

Protect Yourself

• Check if the website or social media page has a refund or returns policy, and that their policies sound fair. The better online shopping and auction sites have detailed complaint or dispute handling processes in case something goes wrong.
• When using retail websites, find out exactly who you are dealing with. Research the retailer and know if you are dealing with a domestic or foreign entity and if the items you are ordering will be shipped from overseas.
• When making online payments, only pay for items using a secure payment service — look for a URL starting with “https” and a closed padlock symbol, or a payment provider such as PayPal. Think twice before using virtual currencies such as bitcoin — they do not have the same protections as other transaction methods, so you can’t get your money back once you send it.
• Avoid any arrangement with a stranger that asks for up-front payment via money order, wire transfer, international funds transfer, pre-loaded card or electronic currency, like Bitcoin. It is rare to recover money sent this way. Never send money or give credit card or online account details to anyone you don’t know or trust.

Do You Think You Have Been Scammed?

1. If you have bought something online and there is a problem, you should first try to contact the retailer or auction service. There may be a legitimate reason for the problem.
2. If you are not satisfied with the response and suspect that it may be a scam, you may be able to arrange a charge-back through your financial institution if you have paid by credit card.
3. Report suspected scams to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by filing a complaint.
4. Spread the word to your friends and family to protect them.