Shopping Online Safely: A Practical Checklist

Most online purchases go smoothly. When they do not, the cause is usually a fake store, a seller who never ships, or a payment method that is hard to reverse. This checklist is designed to catch those problems before they cost you anything.

Before you buy

• Look up the seller independently. Search the store or seller name along with words like “complaint,” “review” or “scam,” and read what other buyers say on sites other than the store’s own.
• Be skeptical of prices far below everyone else’s. Deep discounts on popular or hard-to-find items are one of the most common lures used by fake stores.
• Check the web address carefully. Fake stores often use names one letter away from a familiar brand, or add words like “outlet” or “official.” Type the address yourself or use a bookmark when you can.
• Find real contact details. An established business usually offers a way to reach customer service beyond a web form. Very limited contact information is a reason for caution.
• Read the return and refund policy before you pay, including who covers return shipping and how long you have.
• Be careful with social media ads. Ads can be created quickly and cheaply. If one leads to a store you have never heard of, research it before entering any details.

When you pay

• Use a credit card if you can. Federal law gives you the right to dispute credit card charges for items that were not delivered as agreed, and caps your liability for unauthorized charges at $50. Some issuers also offer virtual card numbers for online purchases.
• Avoid payment methods that are hard to reverse. A seller who insists on a gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or a payment app transfer to an individual is showing a serious warning sign.
• Stay on the platform. On marketplace sites, a seller who asks you to pay or message outside the platform may be trying to get around its buyer protections.
• Look for “https” on the checkout page. It means your connection is encrypted. It does not prove the store is legitimate, so treat it as one check among several.
• Use a trusted connection. Avoid entering card details on public Wi-Fi. Mobile data or your home network is a safer choice.
• Share only what is needed. A store does not need your Social Security number to sell you a product. Consider checking out as a guest if you do not plan to shop there again.

Protect your shopping accounts

• Use a unique password for each store account, and turn on two-step verification where it is offered.
• Remove saved cards from stores you rarely use.
• Keep your phone, computer and browser up to date.
• Turn on purchase alerts with your bank or card issuer so you see charges as they happen.

After you order

• Save your records. Keep the order confirmation, receipt, product description and screenshots of the listing until the item arrives and the return window closes.
• Track deliveries directly. Texts and emails about delivery problems, fees or address confirmations are among the most common phishing messages. Check your order status in the store’s app or website instead of tapping a link.
• Know the shipping rules. Under the FTC’s Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule, sellers must ship within the time they state, or within 30 days if they state no time, and must let you cancel for a refund if they cannot.
• Review your statement. Check that the charge matches what you agreed to pay, and look for unexpected recurring charges from trials or subscriptions.

Buying from individuals

Marketplace and classified sites connect you with private sellers, which brings its own risks. Where possible, inspect items in person before paying and meet in a busy public place; some police departments offer designated exchange spots. Do not pay a deposit to hold an item you have not seen. Rentals, event tickets and pets are common subjects of fake listings, so be especially careful before paying for them.

If something goes wrong

Contact the seller first and keep the conversation in writing. If that does not solve the problem, contact your card issuer or payment provider promptly to ask about a dispute; credit card billing disputes must reach the issuer in writing within 60 days after the statement showing the charge was sent. If you believe the store was a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission and to the platform where you found it. Our guide on what to do if you think you have been scammed walks through the next steps in more detail.

Helpful official resources

These official sites are the best places to confirm current rules and to report problems. IntelliReply is not affiliated with any of them.

• Federal Trade Commission: Consumer Adviceconsumer.ftc.gov
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureauconsumerfinance.gov
• USA.govusa.gov

This guide is general educational information, not legal or financial advice. Rules can change and may differ by state, so check the official sources above for the latest details. Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know.