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Can You Trust That Bargain? How to Spot Fake Online Shops

 
LEAD Scotland Cyber Project | CyberScotland Partnership’s Secure Shopping campaign
 
Have you ever spotted an online bargain that seemed too good to miss? Perhaps a familiar brand was advertising a huge discount, or a website appeared to have exactly what you were looking for at a much lower price than elsewhere.
 
Shopping online can be convenient, helping us find products, compare prices and shop from home. But not every online shop is genuine. Scammers can create fake websites, copy well-known brands and advertise tempting offers to trick people into handing over their money or personal information.
 
As part of the CyberScotland Partnership’s Q3 Secure Shopping campaign, LEAD Scotland’s Cyber Project is encouraging everyone to take a moment to check the details before buying and be on the lookout for fake online shops.
 
Remember: Buy safe, not sorry. Sort the detail. Shop smart.
 
 
1. Check the website address carefully
 
One of the first things to check when shopping online is the website address, also known as the URL.
 
Scammers sometimes create websites with addresses that look very similar to those of genuine retailers. They might add extra words, change a letter, use unusual spellings or include a brand name in an address that doesn’t belong to the official company.
 
For example, a fake website might use an address that looks almost identical to a familiar retailer’s website, hoping you won’t notice the difference.
Before making a purchase:
 
  • Check the spelling of the website address.
  • Look for extra words, unusual characters or unexpected endings.
  • Don’t assume a website is genuine just because it uses a familiar logo or brand name.
  • If you arrive through an advert, email or social media post, check the address independently.
Top tip: If you’re unsure about a website, open a new browser window and search for the retailer independently. You can also type the retailer’s known web address yourself rather than following an unfamiliar link.
 
2. Look for contact details and a returns policy
 
A genuine retailer should provide clear information about its business and how customers can get in touch.
 
Before buying, look for:
 
  • Contact details, such as an email address or telephone number.
  • Information about the business behind the website.
  • Clear delivery information.
  • A returns and refunds policy.
  • Terms and conditions explaining how purchases are handled.
Be cautious if these details are missing, difficult to find, unclear or inconsistent.
 
You can also check whether the contact information appears genuine. For example, does the business name match the website? Do the contact details appear on the retailer’s official website?
 
Remember that scammers can copy contact information from legitimate businesses, so finding an address or telephone number doesn’t automatically prove a website is trustworthy.
 
3. Be careful with offers that seem too good to be true
 
A big discount can be tempting, especially when you’re looking for a particular product or trying to save money.
 
However, fake online shops often use unusually low prices to encourage people to buy quickly without checking the seller.
 
Watch out for warning signs such as:
 
  • Prices much lower than those offered by other retailers.
  • Messages claiming an offer will disappear immediately.
  • Countdown timers or repeated warnings that stock is running out.
  • Pressure to pay straight away.
  • Unusual payment requests or instructions to pay outside the retailer’s normal checkout process.
A low price doesn’t automatically mean a website is a scam. However, if an offer seems unusually good, take a moment to investigate before entering your payment details.
 
It’s better to miss a questionable bargain than risk losing your money.
 
4. Verify the retailer independently
 
Before making a purchase, take a little time to check whether the retailer is genuine.
 
You could:
 
  • Search for the business independently rather than relying on the link in an advert.
  • Check whether the retailer’s official website lists the offer.
  • Look for independent reviews and experiences from other customers.
  • Check whether the business has a consistent online presence.
  • Compare the website address and contact details with information from trusted sources.
Be careful not to rely on reviews displayed only on the website you’re considering. Reviews can be misleading, and scammers may create fake feedback to make a business appear trustworthy.
 
If you’re still uncertain, consider buying from a retailer you already know and trust.
 
5. Check how you’re being asked to pay
 
A website may look professional but still be fraudulent. Before paying, check that the payment process looks appropriate and that you’re using a trusted payment method.
 
Be cautious if a seller asks you to transfer money directly to a personal bank account, pay through an unfamiliar service or continue the transaction through private messages.
 
For one-off purchases, guest checkout may also be worth considering when it’s available. It can reduce the need to create another account or store additional personal details with a retailer.
 
However, guest checkout doesn’t guarantee that a website is genuine. Always check the seller and website before paying.
 
Avoid saving your card details unnecessarily, and keep your order confirmation so you have a record of the purchase.
 
6. What if something doesn’t look right?
 
If you’re unsure whether an online shop is genuine, stop before entering your personal or payment information.
 
You don’t have to complete a purchase just because you’ve found a bargain or added something to your basket.
 
Instead:
 
  1. Close the suspicious page.
  2. Check the retailer independently using a trusted source.
  3. Look carefully at the website address and business details.
  4. Compare the offer with the one advertised by the genuine retailer.
  5. If you remain unsure, don’t buy from that website.
If you think you’ve already paid a fraudulent seller, contact your bank or payment provider as soon as possible. They can explain what steps may be available to protect your account or challenge the payment.
 
You can also find advice about online shopping, fraud and fake online shops from trusted organisations, including Police Scotland, the National Cyber Security Centre and Citizens Advice.
 
Your online shopping safety checklist
 
Before you buy, ask yourself:
 
  1. Have I checked the website address?
  2. Can I find genuine contact details and a clear returns policy?
  3. Does the offer seem realistic?
  4. Have I checked the retailer independently?
  5. Am I comfortable with the payment method?
  6. Have I avoided clicking suspicious links or rushing into a purchase?
You don’t need to complete every check perfectly or know everything about online security. The aim is to slow down, look for warning signs and make an informed decision before spending your money.
 
Buy safe, not sorry
 
 
Online shopping can be a useful way to access products and compare prices, but it’s important to remember that not every website or seller can be trusted, fake online shops.
 
Scammers often rely on people being distracted, rushed or excited by a bargain. Taking a few extra moments to check the details can help you recognise warning signs and make safer choices.
 
As part of the CyberScotland Partnership’s Secure Shopping campaign, we’re encouraging everyone to pay attention to the small details that can make a difference.
 
Check the URL. Verify the retailer. Think before you pay.
 
And if something doesn’t look right, trust your instincts and take another look before proceeding.
 
Find out more
 
Being confident online also means knowing how to protect yourself.
 
LEAD Scotland’s Cyber Project has developed accessible resources to help people understand online safety, privacy and scams.
 
These include:
 
Our resources are designed to make online safety information easier to understand and use.
 
You can also find further guidance from:
 
If you need more support, LEAD Scotland may have digital inclusion services available in your area.
 
Our projects work with people to develop skills and confidence in ways that are accessible and relevant to their lives.
 
Find out more about our Learning Services and the support available in your area.
Follow us on social media
 
Follow us on social media for regular updates, advice and top tips about staying safe online.
 
Find us on:
 
LEAD Scotland Cyber Project
 
For general enquiries:
 
LEAD Scotland
Email: enquiries@lead.org.uk
Tel: 0131 228 9441
Studio 1.09, St Margaret’s House
151 London Road
Edinburgh
EH7 6AE
 
Buy safe, not sorry. Sort the detail. Shop smart.
 

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