Safe Online Shopping: How to Spot Fake Websites and Avoid Scams

Online shopping scams cost Australians millions every year. Here is how to tell a legitimate website from a fake one — and what to do if you have already been caught out.

Category: Security & Privacy | Read time: 3 min | By Midland Computers

Online Shopping Fraud Is Growing Fast in Australia

Scamwatch reports that Australians lose hundreds of millions of dollars to online shopping scams every year. Fake websites have become increasingly sophisticated — many look nearly identical to legitimate retailers. Here is how to protect yourself.

Red Flags of a Fake Shopping Website

  • **Prices that seem impossibly low** — designer goods at 70-90% off, electronics at a fraction of the normal price. If it looks too good to be true, it is.
  • **No contact information** — legitimate stores always have a phone number, physical address, and email. If these are missing or only show a generic contact form, be very cautious.
  • **Poor spelling and grammar** — professional retailers proofread their websites. Scattered errors are a strong warning sign.
  • **Unusual payment methods** — a site that only accepts bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift card payments is almost certainly fraudulent. Legitimate retailers always offer credit card or PayPal.
  • **Newly registered domain** — you can check when a website was registered using free WHOIS lookup tools. A site selling high-value goods but registered just weeks ago is suspicious.
  • **No HTTPS** — look for the padlock icon and "https" at the start of the website address. While HTTPS alone does not guarantee legitimacy, its absence is a red flag.

    • How to Verify a Website Before Buying

  • **Search for reviews** — Google the website name plus "review" or "scam". Check Trustpilot, ProductReview.com.au, and Reddit.
  • **Check the ABN** — Australian businesses should have an ABN. You can verify it at abn.business.gov.au.
  • **Use a credit card, not a debit card** — credit cards offer better fraud protection and chargeback rights if something goes wrong.
  • **Look up the return policy** — legitimate retailers have clear, accessible returns policies. Vague or absent policies are a warning sign.

    • What to Do If You Have Already Been Scammed

  • **Contact your bank immediately** — request a chargeback if paid by credit or debit card
  • **Report to Scamwatch** at scamwatch.gov.au
  • **Change passwords** if you created an account on the fake site — especially if you used the same password elsewhere
  • **Check your computer for malware** — some fake sites attempt to install malicious software

    • Was Your Computer Compromised?

    If you believe visiting a fraudulent site may have installed malware on your computer, Midland Computers offers professional [virus and malware removal in Midland](/services/virus-removal) and [scam victim device cleanup](/services/scam-victim-device-cleanup).

    Our team will thoroughly clean your machine and give you peace of mind. [Book a check-up](/book-repair) or [contact us](/contact) — we help Perth locals with these situations every week.