Avoid fraudulent sites with these tips

Although online shopping is one of the safest and most convenient pursuits that many Brits engage in these days, there are still some scammers looking to take advantage of those who are new to the business of ecommerce. How can you tell if a website is legitimate or fake?

Always be wary of unsolicited emails or other correspondence. These "phishing scams" contain links to credible-looking but fraudulent websites, where the site administrators ask you to input personal information, such as credit and debit card numbers. Reputable websites will not ask for this information until long after you have filled an online shopping cart, gone through the checkout and began the process of paying through a reputable payment provider.

To make sure a website is legitimate, always check the URL in the address bar - make sure that it is identical to the one you're used to shopping from. Many secure sites use an "https://" address rather than an "http://" one. Check around the website for contact information, such as an address, phone number or email. If you're unsure about a website's veracity, don't hesitate to contact the webmaster.

You'll also want to check on security guarantees and return policies. These can be found on reputable websites but may be absent or suspiciously vague on fake ones.