Online deals might not always be the bargains they seem to be warns Northumberland County Council’s Trading Standards. 
 
While many offers are genuine, some are not, and the Council’s Trading Standards officers are advising consumers to be wary when buying Christmas gifts or snapping up a bargain 

Do your research  

Wherever you can, always buy from internet traders you know and trust. 
Make sure the website is genuine and not a scam website. The best way to make sure you are shopping on the genuine website is to type in the address yourself rather than clicking on a link on a social media advert.   

If you are unfamiliar with the retailer, it is wise to do an online search to check recommendations and feedback from other customers eg via Trustpilot. Don’t rely on reviews from the company website. 

Look for a genuine address and landline number you can contact them on if you need to, not just an email address. 

Ensure the checkout is secure by looking out or the padlock symbol in the top left corner of the website.  

When buying online be wary of accidently downloading malware that can infect your computer. 

Ensure the return address is within the UK and not somewhere like China. If you buy from abroad then if you return it you could be liable for customs import fees, on top of the purchase and delivery costs.  
 

If a bargain seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

Beware of sellers who promote great offers via online marketplaces such as eBay or Facebook and to be sceptical if they offer hard-to-get items, such as the must-have Christmas toy that has been out of stock with all major retailers. 

If it is branded but a lot cheaper than it appears on the brand’s website, it could be fake.  
 

Beware of a seller who asks you to pay by direct bank transfer. Bank transfers have limited protection if things go wrong, so avoid using them. 

You should only send and receive money through the online marketplace app or website using a debit or credit card, or via trusted methods of payment such as PayPal, but don’t use the ‘friends and family’ option for people you don’t know as you won’t be protected. 

Rather than using your debit card for purchases over £100, it is worth you using a credit card as you have additional legal protection. 

Christmas delivery fraud 
 

Keep track of everything that has been delivered. Scammers may trick you into thinking you have had a missed delivery, potentially leading you to hand over your personal information. 

For example, if you receive a text saying that a delivery has been missed, they may ask you to enter your bank details to pay for re-delivery. The text or email may also contain a link with dangerous malware on it. Always check directly with the company instead. 
 

When buying goods in a shop, you are not automatically entitled to a refund if you change your mind, unless the goods or services are not of satisfactory quality, not fit for purpose or not as described. 

Some shops do have their own return policies, so it is worth checking what these are before you buy. 

When buying goods online, it is important to know your rights: You have a cooling off period, a minimum of 14 days, which starts the day after you receive the order. This period allows you to return the goods because you have changed your mind, although be aware that you may be liable for the return costs. 

It is advisable to make a note of the dates you bought the item, when you received it and check the returns policy. If you return the item, do so within the cooling off period and get proof of postage. 

If you have bought from a private individual, perhaps via an online marketplace, you have far fewer rights. In fact, you have no right to return, so long as the goods are ‘as described’. 

Always be sure to take a screenshot of the description and be sure to check and double check before you buy. 

When things go wrong 

If you’ve bought something that is broken, damaged, unsafe, or not what you expected then contact the seller and give them a chance to put it right. 

If that does not work, or if you’re worried that something you have seen online might be a scam you can get help from the Citizens Advice Helpline 0808 223 1133. 
 

Northumberland County Councillor, Gordon Stewart, Cabinet member for Looking after our Communities said:  

“In current times where finances are tight for many of us, it is important to be vigilant when bargain-hunting, particularly when shopping online. 

“Our Trading Standards team regularly receive complaints from shoppers who are duped into buying counterfeit goods in the belief that they are genuine. Beware that when an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is. Goods or services paid for may never arrive and fraudster traders can also suddenly disappear, leaving you out of pocket and with limited options for redress. 

“Take your time when browsing deals and follow the advice given to make sure that you don’t fall victim to a clever scam.” 
 

If you think you have fallen for a scam or just need some further help or advice connected with goods and services you have bought, please call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133. Alternatively, if you are a Northumberland resident looking for consumer advice, you can contact Trading Standards directly by email to tradingstandards@northumberland.gov.uk