Most people use the internet to buy goods or services. That’s why online shopping is a common target of fraud.

Fraudsters can hide their identity and target lots of people at the same time using:

• shopping websites
• shopping apps
• online marketplaces

When you shop online, your identity, card details, or money can be at risk.

If you want to tell us about online shopping fraud, you can report it online, by phone, or in person.

Report it using our online form

Learn about other ways you can report a crime to us

You can also report it to:

• Advertising Standards Agency to report a scam advert and help get it removed

To try and help reduce the damage or avoid losing money after online shopping fraud, you can:

If someone steals your card details, you should:

• contact your bank using their official website or phone number
• ask your bank to block or freeze your card

If you do not receive an item you paid for, you should:

• report it to the site you bought it on
• follow advice on how to get your money back if you paid by card or PayPal from Citizens Advice

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) suggests five ways to buy items and services online more safely. These are:

• make sure you’re not buying from a fake site
• use a credit card (rather than a debit card) to pay
• only give required details at checkout
• keep your accounts secure
• watch out for suspicious links

Read the full guide to safer online shopping on the NCSC website

For more advice on how to stay safe when shopping online, you can also read advice on:

• how to spot a fake website from Stop! Think Fraud
• your protections when you pay by card from MoneyHelper
• how to spot scam emails, texts, websites and calls from NCSC