Do your homework and know who you are dealing with
- A simple internet search should reveal any negative feedback about the trader left by other consumers.
- Beware of sites that have only recently been set up. Fraudulent sites come and go very quickly. Often they are only recently registered but may claim to have been round for a while. Use the Howard Online Shopping Assistant tool on www.eccireland.ie to find out when the site was registered and other background information.
- Try to shop on a familiar or recommended site and make sure you have the name and full contact details, including postal address, of the web trader so you know who you are dealing with. It is the trader’s legal obligation to provide these details. Never rely on just an email address or a post office box.
Use safe payment options
- Never send cash or use a money-wiring service because you’ll have no recourse if something goes wrong. Be wary of sites which pass on additional costs to the consumer because they have used a more secure method of payment, such as a credit card.
- Keep a record of your transaction and check your card statements after you make your purchase to ensure that no additional monies were removed from your card.
Know your rights
- Check out the terms and conditions before placing an order, in particular, the trader’s returns and cancellation policies.
- Contact the trader as soon as possible if your purchase is faulty in any way. If you require further orientation or advice, you can contact the European Consumer Centre