Online shopping safety

Last updated: 9 November 2026

Simple steps to help you shop online safely and protect your money.

How to protect your personal information when shopping online

Keep your devices up to date

If you’re going to shop online, make sure that the phone, table or computer you’re using has the latest updates installed.

Use strong, unique passwords for your important accounts. Avoid using the same password for your banking and shopping accounts. Where possible, turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA).

For more information on protecting your accounts, see the Australian Signal Directorate's cyber security advice.

Use a trusted network

When shopping or paying online, use a network you trust. Take extra care when using public Wi-Fi as you may not know how secure it is.

Avoid logging in to online banking or entering your credit or debit card details when using public Wi-Fi.

At home, keep your Wi-Fi router secure and up to date.

How to check if an online seller is legitimate

Shop at trusted sellers

It can be hard to tell if an online store is genuine. Fake websites, ads and reviews can look convincing. 

Before you enter your personal or payment details, take some time to check the seller. If you haven't bought from them before:

• search for independent reviews outside the seller's website
• check the business has contact details and information about returns and refunds
• search for the business name with words like 'scam' or 'review'
• check you're on the genuine website before you enter any personal or payment details.

Even if you know the details, check the website address carefully. Scammers can create fake websites that look like well-known brands.

Find out more about product and service scams and how to check a website.

Only download apps from an official app store, such as the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Find out if the seller is overseas

Check where the seller is based before you buy. If they are overseas, you may not have the same consumer rights as you do in Australia. It can also be harder to arrange a repair, replacement or refund.

You may also pay extra costs, such as international transaction or currency conversion fees. Check the toal cost before you buy. 

For more information about your rights when shopping, see the ACCC website.

Know your rights as a buyer

Before you buy, check the seller's terms and conditions so you know what to expect. Look for information about: 

• returns and refunds
• postage or delivery fees
• packaging or handling charges
• delivery times
• other fees and charges.

How to shop online safely

Use safe online payment methods

Once you’re happy that the seller is genuine, think about how you'll pay.

Some payment methods give you more options if something goes wrong. For example, you may be able to dispute a transaction made with a credit or debit card, or through a payment service such as PayPal. Check what protections apply before you pay.

Take extra care if a seller asks you to pay by bank transfer or cryptocurrency. It can be difficult to get your money back if you send it this way.

And avoid saving payment details to an online shopping account if you don't need to.

Consider a separate card

You could use a separate debit card or account for online shopping. Keeping only the money you need for purchases in that account may limit how much money is at risk if your card details are stolen.

You'll still need to take the same steps to keep your card and account secure.

Record your online purchases

Keep a record of your online purchases in case you need to follow up with the seller or payment provider. 

Keep:

• your order confirmation or receipt
• the item description and photos
• the seller's details
• any messages between you and the seller.

Check your bank or card account to make sure you've been charged the right amount.

Check your bank account regularly

Check your bank and card transactions regularly. If you see a payment you don't recognise, contact your bank or card provider as soon as you can.

This could mean that someone has your card or account details. To find out more about the signs of a scam and how to report one, see banking scams.

What to do if an online purchase goes wrong

Sometimes, even when you're careful, things can go wrong. You may not receive what you paid for, the item may be faulty or not as described, or you may be charged the wrong amount.

What to do next depends on what's happened.

Know your rights

You have consumer rights when you buy products and services online. Depending on the problem, you may be entitled to a repair, replacement or refund.

Visit the ACCC website to find out about your rights as a customer.

Contact the seller

Start by contacting the seller. Explain what's happened and how you would like them to fix the problem.

Keep a copy of any messages between you and the seller. This can be useful if you need to take the matter further.

Contact consumer affairs in your state or territory

If you can't sort things out with the seller, contact the consumer affairs or fair trading agency in your state or territory. They may be able to help you sort things out.

You can also complain to the ACCC about the business.

Call your bank or payment provider

If you paid by credit or debit card and didn't get what you paid for, contact your bank or card provider. Depending on what happened, you may be able to ask for a chargeback, which can reverse a card payment.

If you paid using a payment service, check it's dispute process and any time limits that apply. For example, if you used PayPal, follow PayPal's dispute resolution process.

If you think you've been scammed report it to Scamwatch.