Seven ways to spot and avoid a shopping scam

Sometimes, a rogue retailer can be hard to spot, especially as freely available AI tools can be misused to create convincing images and product descriptions.

If you’re tempted by an offer you’ve seen online, you should follow these steps before you part with any money:

1. Assess how reasonable the offer is; prices that sound too good to be true usually are.
2. Check for signs of a newly created website; use a domain checker, such as who.is, to see when the website was created. If it’s recent, then you should avoid it.
3. Use TinEyeor image search on Google to see if images in adverts and on websites have been used anywhere else on the internet.
4. Watch out for poor spelling, bad grammar and phrases that don’t sound right.
5. See if the website lists a physical address. Businesses should have this, as well as a phone number or email address to contact them.
6. Check if the company’s website lists a shipping and returns policy If it’s legitimate, it should have this.
7. Look at reviews across several sources to get a sense of the experience of other shoppers.

If you have information about any crime call 101, email: 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If you see crime taking place call 999.

WG Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators – Simon Baker & Philippa Lake