How to shop online safely for Christmas

Order early and check the delivery date

Couriers are overloaded in December, so parcels take longer than usual. Look at the estimated delivery date at checkout, not just the price, and allow extra days for gifts that have to arrive before a certain date.

• Order bulky or imported items first, since they take the longest.
• Check whether the item is in stock locally or ships from overseas.
• Keep a list of what you ordered, from which shop, and the order number.

Check the seller, not just the product

Official stores and well-rated sellers are less likely to cancel, ship the wrong item or disappear. Look at the shop's rating, how long it has been selling and what recent buyers say, including the lower-rated reviews.

Treat seasonal discounts with care

A crossed-out price doesn't prove the item was ever sold at that price. Compare the same product in at least two or three shops, and compare the final total including shipping and fees. Big sale days such as 11.11 and 12.12 are often worth waiting for, but check what the item normally costs first.

Read the terms of any voucher: minimum spend, which products it covers and when it expires.

Protect your payment and your accounts

• Pay through the shop or marketplace's own checkout, not by bank transfer to a stranger.
• Ignore messages that say your parcel is held and ask for a 'delivery fee' or a login. These spike around Christmas.
• Never share one-time passwords, card codes or your password with anyone, including people claiming to be support.
• Be wary of giveaways and vouchers shared on social media that ask you to log in or pay first.

When the parcel arrives

If it is a gift, open and check it before you wrap it. Record a short video of opening the package, check the item against the listing, and test electronics. Report problems quickly, inside the return window, with your photos and video. Find out the return rules before you buy, because a gift that doesn't fit or work should be easy to send back.

Extra care with electrical items

Christmas lights and extension cords draw power for hours at a time. Buy from reputable sellers, check that the plug and voltage suit your home, avoid overloading a socket, and switch lights off when you leave the house or go to sleep.