Key Takeaways
- Verifying a seller's legitimacy before purchase is one of the most effective ways to avoid online scams.
- Return and refund policies vary widely — always read them before you pay, not after.
- Credit cards generally offer stronger fraud and dispute protections than debit cards for online purchases.
- Secure checkout indicators like HTTPS and recognized payment options reduce your exposure to data theft.
- Unsolicited deals that arrive by email or text are a common gateway to phishing scams — verify independently.
Summary
18 items · 10–20 minutes
Why This Checklist Exists
Online shopping fraud costs American consumers hundreds of millions of dollars every year, and most victims didn't realize something was wrong until after they clicked "Place Order." The good news is that the majority of common scams — fake storefronts, misleading listings, stolen payment data — are preventable with a few minutes of verification before you pay.
This checklist is designed to slot in right at the moment of commitment: when you've found what you want and you're about to hand over your money. It covers seller legitimacy, site security, return policies, and payment protections. If you're also looking to avoid leaving savings on the table, see our pre-purchase savings checklist as a companion resource.
Gift Cards and Wire Transfers Are Not Buyer-Protected
Any seller that requests payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency should be treated as a serious red flag. These payment methods are irreversible and routinely used in fraud schemes. Legitimate retailers do not ask for payment in these forms. If you've already sent money this way, contact the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Deals That Arrive by Text or Email Deserve Extra Scrutiny
Phishing emails and smishing texts impersonating well-known retailers have become increasingly convincing. Never click a link from an unsolicited message and then complete a purchase — go directly to the retailer's website by typing the URL yourself. For more on spotting these scams, see how to identify fake purchase alerts.
How to Use This Checklist
Work through each group in order — seller verification first, then site security, policies, payment, and delivery. The items marked "must" are non-negotiable: skipping them meaningfully increases your risk. Items marked "should" are strongly recommended for unfamiliar sellers. "Nice to have" items add an extra layer of protection when you're making a larger purchase or buying from a site you've never used before.
Keep in mind that your payment method plays a major role in how much protection you have if a purchase goes wrong. Credit cards and debit cards carry very different levels of buyer protection — that distinction matters before you enter your card number, not after. For a deeper look at building safe habits across all your online shopping, these safe online shopping habits are worth reviewing.
WHOIS Domain Lookup
Check how long a website's domain has been registered to spot newly created, potentially fraudulent storefronts.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Search the seller's business profile and read consumer complaints filed against them.
State Attorney General Consumer Complaint Database
Check whether the seller has accumulated formal complaints at the state regulatory level.
Virtual Card Number (via your bank or card issuer)
Generate a temporary card number tied to your account to limit exposure from merchant data breaches.
The Pre-Purchase Safety Checklist
Run through every group below before completing your order. Each group targets a distinct vulnerability in the online purchase process.
Seller Verification
Site and Checkout Security
Return, Refund, and Cancellation Policies
Payment Method and Buyer Protection
Order and Delivery Confirmation
Dispute Windows Have Hard Deadlines
If something goes wrong with an order, your ability to dispute it is time-limited. Credit card chargebacks typically must be initiated within 60 days of the statement date, though this varies by issuer. Don't wait to see if a problem resolves itself — act as soon as you have evidence the seller isn't making it right.
For a broader look at your rights as a consumer — including how to navigate disputes and understand what protections apply to you — see our guide on consumer awareness from first click to final purchase.