Protecting Yourself from Online Shopping Scams as an Older Adult

Online shopping has become a convenient part of everyday life. From groceries to gifts, you can buy almost anything with a click of a button. But as online shopping becomes more popular, scammers are also getting smarter about setting up fake websites or sending phishing emails to trick people into giving away their money or personal information.

These scams can be especially tricky because they often look like real online stores. The scammers may offer deals that seem too good to pass up, but once they have your payment information, you either receive a low-quality product (or nothing at all) or end up with your credit card details stolen.

In this article, we’ll explain how online shopping scams work, what red flags to watch out for, and how you can protect yourself while shopping online.

How Online Shopping Scams Work

Scammers create fake websites or fake listings on legitimate sites that look like trustworthy online stores. Sometimes, they even make the websites look like well-known retailers by copying logos, colors, and other design elements. They lure you in by offering great deals on popular products, often at prices much lower than normal.

Once you place an order and enter your payment information, one of two things usually happens:

You never receive the product, and the website disappears after taking your money.
You receive a fake or low-quality product that doesn’t match what was advertised.

In some cases, scammers use phishing emails to send fake “order confirmation” or “shipping update” messages that contain links to malicious websites. These websites are designed to steal your personal information, like your credit card number or login details.

Common Signs of Online Shopping Scams

Here’s what to watch out for when you’re shopping online:

1. Unfamiliar websites

One of the biggest warning signs of an online shopping scam is an unfamiliar website. If you’ve never heard of the store before, take a few extra steps to check its legitimacy. Look up reviews of the site online, search for the company’s name along with words like “scam” or “complaint,” and check to see if other shoppers have had bad experiences.

If a website has no reviews or only negative feedback, it’s best to avoid shopping there.

How to check if a website is legitimate:

Search for reviews: Look up the company name or website along with “reviews” or “scam” in your browser. For example, you can search for “ABC Store reviews” or “ABC Store scam” to see what other shoppers are saying.
Look for a physical address and contact information: Legitimate websites usually provide a business address and phone number. If the website only has an email address or contact form and no other details, that could be a red flag.
Use scam-checking websites: There are websites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or Trustpilot where you can check if a business has had any complaints or bad reviews.

2. Deals that are too good to be true

While everyone loves a good bargain, be cautious if the price is unusually low—especially for high-end or popular items. Scammers often lure people in by offering products at prices far below what they’re worth. For example, if a designer handbag normally sells for $300 and a website is offering it for $50, that’s likely a scam.

If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Real businesses can’t afford to sell products for much less than their value, so extreme discounts are often a sign that something’s not right.

3. Lack of security on the website

Before entering any personal information or making a payment, check that the website is secure. Secure websites start with “https” instead of “http” in the web address, and you should see a small padlock icon in the address bar. This shows that the site is using encryption to protect your data.

If the site doesn’t have https or if there’s no padlock icon, don’t enter any personal or payment information—it’s not secure, and your details could be stolen.

How to check if a website is secure:

Look for https at the beginning of the web address. The “s” stands for “secure,” meaning the site encrypts your information.
Check for a padlock icon in the address bar. If you see a padlock, the website is using a secure connection.
Avoid websites with security warnings. If your browser tells you that a site isn’t secure or that there’s a problem with the website’s security certificate, it’s best to stay away.

4. No clear return policy or contact information

Legitimate online stores usually have clear return policies and contact information in case you have a problem with your order. If a website doesn’t mention how to return an item or only provides vague information, it’s a sign the business may not be legitimate.

Make sure the website has a physical address, phone number, and email address that you can use if something goes wrong with your purchase. Scammers often provide little or no contact information, or they might use fake contact details that lead nowhere.

How to Protect Yourself While Shopping Online

Follow these steps to shop safely online:

1. Stick to well-known retailers:Whenever possible, shop from websites you know and trust, like big-name retailers (Amazon, eBay, Target, Walmart, etc.) or online stores that you’ve used before. If you’re thinking about buying from a new or unfamiliar site, do some research before making a purchase. A quick online search for reviews can save you from falling victim to a scam.

2. Use a credit card for online purchases

When shopping online, it’s safer to use a credit card than a debit card. Credit cards offer better fraud protection, and if there’s an issue with your purchase (like if the product doesn’t arrive or isn’t what you expected), you can dispute the charge with your credit card company.

If you use a debit card, the money is taken directly from your bank account, and it can be harder to get it back if you’re scammed.

3. Avoid paying by wire transfer or gift cards

Scammers often ask for payment through wire transfers (like Western Union) or gift cards because it’s difficult to trace or recover the money once it’s sent. No legitimate retailer will ask you to pay with a wire transfer or gift card. If a website asks for payment this way, it’s a clear sign of a scam.

4. Double-check your order confirmation emails

Scammers may send fake order confirmation or shipping update emails that look like they’re from real stores. These emails often include a link that leads to a malicious website designed to steal your information. Be cautious if you receive an unexpected order confirmation email or one that looks suspicious.

How to check if an order confirmation is real:

Go directly to the store’s official website (by typing it into your browser) and check your order status there.
Don’t click on any links in a suspicious email. Instead, contact the company directly using the customer service information on their website.

5. Keep an eye on your bank account

After making an online purchase, it’s a good idea to check your bank or credit card account regularly for any unauthorized charges. If you see something suspicious, contact your bank or credit card company right away. The sooner you report it, the easier it will be to stop the fraud.

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

If you think you’ve been scammed while shopping online, take these steps immediately:

1. Contact your bank or credit card company

If you made a payment and didn’t receive the product, or if the product you received was fake or defective, call your bank or credit card company. They can help you dispute the charge and may be able to recover your money.

2. Report the scam to the online store platform

If the scam happened on a legitimate platform (like Amazon or eBay), report the seller to the platform. These companies often have systems in place to handle disputes and can remove fraudulent sellers from their websites.

3. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

You can report online shopping scams to the FTC. This helps authorities track down scammers and prevent others from falling victim to the same fraud. You can file a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Conclusion

Online shopping scams can be difficult to spot, but by knowing the warning signs and following safe shopping practices, you can protect yourself from losing money or personal information. Always be cautious when shopping on unfamiliar websites, avoid deals that seem too good to be true, and stick to secure, trusted retailers whenever possible.

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and double-check the website before making a purchase. Shopping online can be convenient and safe—as long as you take the time to protect yourself.