Online shopping has revolutionised how we buy clothing, offering unprecedented variety and convenience. However, it has also created opportunities for scammers and counterfeiters to exploit eager shoppers. Every year, thousands of Australians fall victim to fashion scams, receiving poor-quality items that look nothing like the photos, or worse, receiving nothing at all after paying.
This guide will help you identify legitimate retailers, spot warning signs of scams, and shop online with confidence.
Red Flags That Indicate a Scam Website
Scam websites often share common characteristics. Learn to recognise these warning signs before entering your payment details.
Price That's Too Good to Be True
If a website is selling designer dresses at ninety percent off, something is wrong. Legitimate retailers rarely discount quality items so dramatically. Deep discounts on otherwise expensive items are the most common lure used by scam sites.
Poor Website Quality
- Spelling and grammar errors throughout the site
- Low-quality images or images stolen from other sites
- Broken links and missing pages
- Inconsistent styling or amateur design
- No physical address or contact information
Suspicious Payment Methods
Legitimate retailers accept major credit cards and secure payment methods like PayPal. Be wary of sites that only accept wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. These payment methods offer no buyer protection and cannot be reversed.
Never pay via wire transfer or gift card. Once this money is sent, it's essentially impossible to recover. Legitimate businesses never request these payment methods.
Recently Created Domain
Scam websites are often newly created and disappear after collecting payments. You can check a domain's age using free online tools. If a site selling established brands was only created weeks ago, exercise extreme caution.
Missing or Suspicious Policies
Legitimate retailers have clear return policies, privacy policies, and terms of service. Scam sites either lack these entirely or copy them from other websites, resulting in inconsistent branding or references to unrelated companies.
How to Verify a Website's Legitimacy
Before making a purchase from an unfamiliar website, conduct these verification checks:
Search for Reviews
Search for the website name plus words like "review," "scam," or "legitimate." Look for reviews on independent platforms, not testimonials on the site itself. If you find many complaints about non-delivery or product quality, steer clear.
Check Social Media Presence
Established retailers maintain active social media profiles with genuine engagement. A legitimate business selling dresses would have customer photos, comments, and regular updates. Empty or very new social profiles are warning signs.
Look for Secure Connections
Ensure the website uses HTTPS (look for the padlock icon in your browser). While HTTPS alone doesn't guarantee legitimacy, its absence is a definite red flag for any site requesting payment information.
If you can't find any independent information about a retailer online, that absence of information is itself a warning sign.
Shopping Safely on Established Platforms
Using well-known platforms significantly reduces your risk. Here's how to shop safely on trusted sites.
Amazon
Amazon offers strong buyer protection, but you must still be cautious. When shopping on Amazon:
- Check seller ratings and read recent reviews
- Look for "Shipped and Sold by Amazon" for maximum protection
- Read the product reviews, looking specifically at recent ones and those with photos
- Be suspicious of listings with few reviews but very high ratings
- Use Amazon's built-in dispute resolution if issues arise
eBay
eBay's feedback system helps identify reliable sellers:
- Check seller feedback percentage and number of transactions
- Read negative feedback to understand any issues
- Use PayPal for buyer protection
- Verify the seller's location and shipping origin
Department Store Websites
Websites of established Australian retailers like David Jones, Myer, and The Iconic offer the same consumer protections as their physical stores. These are among the safest places to shop online.
Spotting Counterfeit Products
Even on legitimate platforms, counterfeit products exist. Here's how to identify potential fakes:
- Price comparison: If one seller's price is dramatically lower than all others for identical items, the product may be counterfeit.
- Stock photos only: Authentic sellers typically include photos of actual products, not just manufacturer images.
- Vague descriptions: Counterfeiters often use generic descriptions because they don't have genuine products to describe accurately.
- Shipping origin: Products claiming to be from premium brands but shipping from unexpected countries may be counterfeit.
Protecting Your Payment Information
Beyond choosing legitimate websites, protect yourself during the payment process:
Use Credit Cards, Not Debit
Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards. If a transaction is fraudulent, you can dispute the charge, and the money isn't immediately taken from your bank account.
Consider Virtual Card Numbers
Some banks and services offer virtual card numbers for online shopping. These temporary numbers limit your exposure if the retailer's security is compromised.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Purchases
Public Wi-Fi networks may not be secure. Wait until you're on a trusted network before entering payment information, or use a VPN.
Enable transaction notifications on your credit card so you're immediately aware of any purchases. This helps you catch fraudulent transactions quickly.
What to Do If You've Been Scammed
If you believe you've fallen victim to an online shopping scam:
- Contact your bank immediately: Report the fraudulent transaction and request a chargeback if you used a credit card.
- Document everything: Save emails, screenshots, and any communication with the seller.
- Report to Scamwatch: Australia's Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) collects reports to help warn others and track scam operations.
- Report to the ACCC: If the scam involves fake Australian businesses, report to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
- Leave reviews: Warn other potential victims by leaving reviews on any platform where you encountered the scam.
Building Safe Shopping Habits
Develop these habits to protect yourself every time you shop online:
- Always research unfamiliar retailers before purchasing
- Be sceptical of social media advertisements for unknown brands
- Read return policies before purchasing
- Keep records of all online transactions
- Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is
Final Thoughts
Online shopping is convenient and opens up a world of fashion options, but it requires vigilance. By learning to recognise scam indicators and shopping through trusted channels, you can enjoy the benefits of online fashion shopping while protecting yourself from fraud.
When shopping through our site, we only link to Amazon Australia, which provides strong buyer protection and straightforward returns. Shop confidently knowing you're purchasing from a legitimate platform.