Online Shopping and Auction Sites

Online Shopping and Auction Site Fraud: Protecting UK Consumers

As e-commerce continues to grow, so does the risk of fraud on online shopping and auction sites. UK consumers lost millions of pounds last year to various scams targeting popular platforms like eBay and Amazon.

Common types of fraud include:

  1. Non-delivery scams: Sellers take payment but never ship the item.
  2. Misrepresentation: Items are significantly different from their description.
  3. Counterfeit goods: Fake products sold as genuine articles.
  4. Shill bidding: Sellers artificially inflate prices using multiple accounts.
  5. Account takeovers: Fraudsters hijack legitimate accounts to conduct scams.

 

To protect yourself:

• Research sellers thoroughly, checking feedback and ratings.
• Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
• Use secure payment methods like PayPal or credit cards for added protection.
• Never pay via bank transfer or outside the platform's official system.
• Read item descriptions carefully and ask questions before bidding or buying.
• Be cautious of sellers pressuring you to act quickly.
• Check the site's buyer protection policies.

 

Red flags to watch for:
• New sellers with limited or no feedback
• Unusually low prices for high-value items
• Requests to communicate or pay outside the platform
• Poor quality or stock photos of itemsIf you've been scammed:

  1. Report the incident to the platform immediately.
  2. Contact your bank or payment provider to dispute the charge.
  3. File a report with Action Fraud (0300 123 2040).

Remember, legitimate sellers and auction sites won't pressure you into hasty decisions. Take your time, do your research, and trust your instincts.

By staying vigilant, you can enjoy the benefits of online shopping while minimising the risk of fraud.