Many Australians find online shopping a convenient way to buy. You can browse and order goods from the comfort of your own home and have them delivered right to your door. What’s not to love?
It can be easy to let your guard down and fall victim to an online scam unless you do your research.
Just like buying goods or services in person, make sure you know who you’re dealing with before making a purchase.
It’s a good idea to check the site’s contact details and independent reviews. This is particularly important if you have found the store via an advertisement, including those seen on social media.
If the business is registered in Australia, you will be protected by the same consumer laws as when you buy from a bricks and mortar store. You can check registration details via an ABN Lookup.
When it comes to choosing the product itself, compare prices with other outlets and make sure the terms and conditions meet your needs. How long will the item take to arrive and who would be responsible for paying postage if you had to return it? What is the refund policy?
Allow extra time for delivery if buying online for a special occasion because there can be unexpected waits and product shortages. Check the delivery timeframe and contact the seller to confirm the timeframe if you need the product or service by a certain date.
It can be difficult to judge the quality, size and colour of items online. Look at images that show different angles or close-ups and read the product description and dimensions carefully. Remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is!
At the checkout
Check the total price before you finalise your purchase and note:
- the price in Australian dollars if you’re buying from an overseas seller
- any ‘drip pricing’ where other fees and charges are added during the purchase process which significantly increase the purchase price
- if a credit card surcharge will apply
- any delivery costs.
Look for ‘https’ (make sure the ‘s’ is there) at the start of the URL and a padlock icon to ensure the payment page is secure.
If a seller asks for payment via money order, wire transfer or electronic currency such as Bitcoin, it can be a red flag that the seller might be a scammer. Ideally there will be protected payment options including secure credit card transaction or PayPal.
Always save your digital receipts as proof of your purchase and keep a record of any warranties. You can take a screenshot of the payment page just in case.
Delivery issues
Be wary of scam parcel delivery messages. Delete suspicious texts or emails and don’t click on any links or attachments in these messages. If you click on a dodgy link in a text message or email, malware could be installed on your phone or computer and the scammer could access your bank details.
If your item doesn’t arrive, contact the business and request a remedy, such as a refund or a suitable replacement product.
More information
For more tips on online shopping go to SA.GOV.AU - Shopping from home.
Please contact Consumer and Business Services if you would like further advice.