What Should I Do If I've Been Scammed While Shopping Online?

Online shopping scams happen when a fake seller, website, or marketplace listing takes your money or personal information without delivering the goods. Scammers often use too-good-to-be-true prices, pressure tactics, or fake reviews. If you have been targeted, acting quickly can reduce the damage.

What to do first

1. Stop all contact and payments. Do not send more money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Scammers often ask for additional fees to "release" your order.
2. Contact your bank or credit card issuer. Report the fraudulent charge and ask them to stop the payment or issue a chargeback. If you paid by debit card, your bank may still help, but credit cards often offer stronger protection.
3. Secure your accounts. Change passwords for your email, banking, and any shopping accounts. Turn on two-factor authentication where possible. If you reused the same password, change it everywhere.
4. Report the scam. File a report with the online marketplace or website, your local consumer protection office, and your national fraud reporting center (for example, the FTC in the US, Action Fraud in the UK, or Scamwatch in Australia). Also report it to the police if you lost money.
5. Preserve evidence. Take screenshots of the listing, chat logs, emails, and payment receipts. Note the seller's username, website URL, and any bank details they gave you.

What NOT to do

• Do not confront the scammer or try to get your money back yourself. This can make things worse.
• Do not click links or download attachments from the scammer.
• Do not share verification codes, passwords, or banking PINs with anyone who contacts you.
• Do not send money via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to recover losses. Recovery scammers target victims a second time.

When to seek professional help

If you shared sensitive information like your Social Security number, bank account details, or full credit card number, contact your bank and consider a credit freeze or fraud alert. If you are unsure whether a charge is fraudulent, call your bank's official number (not one from an email or text). For identity theft, report it to the relevant government authority and consider an identity theft recovery service.

What to monitor

Watch your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges over the next few months. Check your credit report for new accounts or inquiries you do not recognize. Be alert for follow-up scams that reference your original loss.

How to prevent it next time

• Shop on reputable sites and check reviews on independent sites.
• Use a credit card or a trusted payment service for online purchases.
• Be wary of prices far below market value and sellers who pressure you to pay outside the platform.
• Verify the seller's contact information and return policy before buying.
• Keep your devices and browsers updated with security software.

If you have been scammed, report it and take steps to protect your accounts. You are not alone, and reporting helps authorities track and stop these operations. This is general information and not a substitute for professional financial or legal advice.