Online shopping is one of the best things about modern life — the whole store, delivered to your door. It's also where a lot of scams live. The good news: a handful of simple habits will keep you safe on almost any site. Here's exactly what to check before you buy, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Scammers aren't only after the gullible — they're after the busy, the trusting, and anyone in a hurry to grab a deal. The Federal Trade Commission reports that online shopping is one of the most common ways people lose money to fraud. You don't need to be a tech expert to stay safe. You just need to slow down at a few key moments.
If a deal feels urgent ("only 2 left — buy in the next 5 minutes!"), if the price is wildly lower than everywhere else, or if a site you've never heard of is asking for payment by gift card, wire, or a money app — stop. Those three signals are present in the large majority of shopping scams. When in doubt, close the tab and search the store's name plus the word "scam."
How you pay decides whether you can get your money back. This is the single most important habit on this page.
Many shopping scams don't start on a store at all — they start with a text, email, or pop-up. "There's a problem with your order." "Your package couldn't be delivered — click to reschedule." These are designed to make you click before you think.
A surprising amount of online safety is just being organized — knowing which accounts you have, which card is on file where, and who to call if something goes wrong. Keeping that in one trusted place (not a sticky note on the monitor) makes you both safer day to day and far easier for a loved one to help in an emergency.
If you're also helping an older parent stay safe, our guide to protecting aging parents from scams and financial abuse covers the warning signs to watch for.
A one-page checklist to keep by the computer — the quick checks to run before you buy, the payment rules that protect you, and the exact steps to take if you're scammed. Tell us where to send it.
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Check the web address for misspellings and a padlock with https, then search the store's name with "reviews" or "scam" before buying. Legitimate stores list a real phone number, address, and clear return policy. Be especially careful with flashy social-media ads and prices far below everywhere else — buy from the brand's own website when you can, and pay with a credit card so you're protected if something goes wrong.
A credit card. Credit cards give the strongest fraud protection — you can dispute a charge and usually owe nothing for purchases you didn't authorize. A digital wallet like PayPal adds a layer by keeping your card number off the store's system. Never pay an online store by gift card, wire transfer, or a money app; no honest seller asks for those, and that money can't be recovered.
Don't click links in unexpected messages about deliveries, order problems, or account issues — go to the store or carrier's website yourself by typing the address or using their app. Real companies never text or call asking for your password, full card number, or a verification code, and you should ignore pop-ups claiming your computer has a virus. When a message tries to create panic or urgency, slow down and verify directly.
Act fast. Call your bank or credit card company to report the charge, block the card, and get a new one, then change your passwords starting with the affected account. Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The sooner you contact your card company, the better your chances of getting your money back — and there's no shame in it; these scams fool millions of careful people every year.
Get organized, stay safe
The Emergency Binder gives every account, card, password, and key contact a single secure home — so you're safer day to day, and the people you love can step in fast if they ever need to.
See the Emergency Binder →