European Consumer Centre for Services receives many complaints and enquiries from consumers who are victims of various scam online shops. Please read our tips so that you will not be one of them!

How can you protect your money and make informed decisions?

1. If you have some doubts about the website, ask yourself if it is worth proceeding...
2. Ask questions first - not after you’ve paid
3. Do you have a geographical address for the business? Have you checked the address exists if buying at a distance? Do you know where the company is registered?
4. Do you have geographical phone number not just a mobile?
5. Can you easily find this information?
6. Read the terms and conditions; look for information on the your right to cancel if ordering from a distance
7. You or a family member can do some research on the internet; Put the name of the business + ‘scam’ or ‘fraud’ into a search engine
8. Paying on a UK credit card will give you extra protection if the service/item is over £100
9. Still unsure? contact us for more advice

If you are a victim of online fraud/scam please contact ActionFraud: http://www.actionfraud.org.uk/