What parents need to know
Shopping online is easy and exciting, especially when there’s a good deal. But some websites, sellers and adverts are not what they seem. Scammers use fake websites, adverts, or listings on popular marketplace platforms to trick people into buying things that don’t exist or will never arrive.
Between November 2023 and January 2024, over £11.5 million was lost in the UK to online shopping scams. Many of these scams targeted people looking for a bargain, withan average loss of £695 per person.
Young people are especially at risk because they often shop through apps, social media, or marketplaces. By talking about how these scams work, you can helpyour child make safer choices.
How these scams work
Online shopping scams often include:
- Fake websites made to look like real shops or brands
- Adverts on social media offering huge discounts
- Marketplace listings with fake reviews and pressure to buy quickly
- Messages that say things like "only one left" or "deal ends soon" to make people act fast
Theses cams are designed to catch people off guard and make them click without thinking. Children and teenagers may be drawn in by the excitement or urgency.
What you can teach your child to do before buying
- Stop and think - If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Take a moment before clicking “buy.”
- Check the seller or website - Look up the name of the shop or seller by typing it into a search engine with words like “scam” or “reviews.”
- Check that there is a clear returns policy, company contact details, and registration information.
- Make sure the website address looks right. For example, “amaz0n.co” is a scam, not the real “amazon.co.uk.”
- Use safe payment methods - Always use a credit card or a trusted payment service like PayPal if possible. These offer some protection.
- Avoid paying by bank transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. If there’s a problem, it’s much harder to get your money back.
- Keep shopping accounts secure - If your child has their own account on a shopping app or website, help them set up two-step verification.
- Make sure they use strong passwords that are different from the ones they use for social media or banking.
- Watch out for copied photos - Scammers often steal product images from real websites. You can search the image online to see if it appears on many other websites. This can help spot a fake listing.
What to do if your child has already paid
If you or your child has bought something and it turns out to be a scam:
- Contact your bank or payment provider straight away
- Report the scam to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040
- If the scam was through email, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk
- If it happened on a shopping app or social media platform, report it on that platform
- Change the password for the website or app used, especially if the same password is used elsewhere
- Keep an eye on your accounts for any strange activity
- Share what happened so others in your family or school community can be aware
