Online shopping is genuinely convenient, and most of the time it works exactly as it should. But there are websites that look professional and trustworthy while being set up specifically to collect payment details without sending anything in return. This guide covers the practical checks you can do before entering your card details on an unfamiliar website.
Check the Web Address Carefully ¶
Scam websites often use addresses that are very close to genuine ones, with a small change that is easy to miss. 'amazon-jp-orders.com' is not Amazon. 'japanpost-delivery.net' is not Japan Post. Before entering any details, look at the full address in your browser bar and compare it to the official address you would find by searching for the organisation directly.
Look for a Padlock, But Know Its Limits ¶
A padlock symbol in your browser bar means the connection between your computer and the website is encrypted, which is a good basic sign. However, scam websites can also have padlocks. The padlock tells you the connection is private, not that the website is genuine. Use it as one check among several, not as a guarantee.
Be Cautious With Prices That Seem Unusually Low ¶
A website selling a product at a fraction of the price you have seen elsewhere is worth pausing on. This is a common feature of sites that collect payment details without fulfilling orders. If a price seems too good to be true, search for reviews of the website independently before buying. SafeNet Protect checks sites against a verified retailer database and shows a small indicator for sites with a confirmed trading history.
Use a Credit Card Rather Than a Debit Card Where Possible ¶
Credit cards offer stronger consumer protections for online purchases in most countries. If a purchase turns out to be fraudulent, it is generally easier to dispute a credit card charge than a debit card transaction. Check with your card provider about the specific protections available to you.
If you are unsure about a website you are considering buying from, our support team can take a look with you. Call +81 6-4560-3821 any time.