How to shop online safely and avoid fake deals

Check the seller, not just the product

• Prefer official brand stores or sellers with a verified badge on the marketplace.
• Look at the seller's rating, how long they have been active and how many orders they have completed.
• Be cautious with brand-new shops offering famous brands at unusually low prices.

Read reviews with a critical eye

Sort by most recent, and read the lower-rated reviews, because three-star reviews are often the most specific. Buyer photos are more reliable than stock images. A sudden burst of near-identical five-star reviews can be a sign of paid or fake reviews.

Judge whether the discount is real

A crossed-out original price does not prove the item was ever sold at that price. Compare the same product across at least two or three stores. If you can, watch the price for a few days or use a price-history tool, so you know what a normal price looks like.

Know the warranty and return terms before you pay

• Find out whether the item has a local, official warranty or only a seller warranty.
• Check the return window and who pays for return shipping.
• Screenshot the listing, price and description before you order, in case it changes.

Protect your payment

Pay through the marketplace's own checkout, which usually holds your money until delivery. Never agree to move the conversation or the payment outside the platform, and avoid bank transfers to individual sellers. If your payment method offers dispute or chargeback protection, it is a useful safety net.

When the parcel arrives

• Record a video as you open the package, from sealed to unboxed.
• Check the item against the listing before confirming receipt, if the platform releases payment on confirmation.
• Report problems quickly, inside the return window, with your photos and video.

Finally, be wary of messages asking you to pay a 'delivery fee' or to log in through a link. Only sign in through the official app or website.