With Black Friday just days away, Worcestershire Trading Standards are sharing some advice and guidance on how to ensure shoppers stay safe when purchasing online.
Many shoppers are getting less than they have bargained for after these sales events, with many coming to Trading Standards about fake or faulty goods that they have been sold online.
With this in mind, it is important to stop before you shop and be wise to scams in disguise. Here are a few things you will need to do to stay cyber-safe.
• Use online retailers you know and trust. Lots of bogus websites appear at this time of year with many advertised on social media. Look at their reviews on independent websites and ask friends and family.
• Always use a secure form of payment to buy things e.g. PayPal. Never simply transfer money to someone’s account. If you use a credit card for purchases over £100 you will get extra consumer protection.
• Watch out for counterfeit goods which can be unsafe. They’re not always easy to spot but if it is very cheap and not in a place, you’d expect to see such products – don’t buy them. If it is too good to be true, it is almost certainly wrong.
Councillor Karen May, Cabinet Member for Communities at Worcestershire County Council, said: “We know people will be shopping from their sofas, as they look to find the best bargains. However, some bargains really are too good to be true. It’s really important customers keep themselves cyber safe and fully understand their rights as a consumer so they can protect themselves if a purchase doesn’t go to plan.”
There are also a few things to remember if your purchase isn’t as you originally planned.
• When you shop online you have a 14-day cooling-off period to change your mind and return or cancel most goods or services purchased online from a UK or EU trader.
• You may have to pay to return unwanted items.
• If something, you buy is faulty or was misdescribed you have 30 days to return it and claim a refund. After 30 days you must allow the retailer to repair or replace it first. These rights apply when buying online or in-store.
It is also useful to know your rights when buying goods and services.
To make a consumer complaint or to get advice on your consumer rights, please contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service at 0808 223 1133.
For more online shopping and safety advice visit the Get Safe Online website.
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