Online Shopping Safety Checklist 2026

Online shopping fraud costs consumers billions. Use this checklist before every purchase to protect yourself.

Before You Buy

1. Check the website trust score — Use nerq.ai/is-[store]-safe-to-buy-from
2. Look for HTTPS — Never enter payment info on HTTP sites
3. Check domain age — New domains (< 6 months) are high risk
4. Read reviews on independent sites — Not just on the store itself
5. Verify contact information — Real phone number, physical address, real email
6. Check return policy — Legitimate stores have clear return policies
7. Use a credit card — Better fraud protection than debit cards

Red Flags

• Prices 70-90% below retail (too good to be true)
• Only accepts wire transfer, crypto, or gift cards
• No customer service phone number
• Poor website design with broken images
• Countdown timers creating false urgency

Related Guides

Updated March 2026. Source: Nerq independent analysis.