The internet is a great place for convenient, fast, and often bargain shopping. Unfortunately, it can also become a platform for fraudsters. Every so often, we hear about customers who place and pay for virtual stores but never actually see the goods. It's recommended to only shop at places known and trusted by many customers, but real deals and gems sometimes lurk elsewhere. So, here are some tips on how to check if an online store is legitimate!
Fraudsters and online trading – is there anything to be afraid of?
When online shopping was a novelty, many people were apprehensive about it. However, even in Poland, a relatively conservative e-commerce industry, the industry soon experienced significant growth. The latest report from Gemius Polska indicates that 73% of Polish internet users shop online. Domestic stores lead the way, with only 30% of online users using foreign stores. Why? One reason is concerns about the integrity of foreign sellers, difficulties in asserting one's rights, and higher shipping costs.
Is there really any reason to worry? On the one hand, online stores are much more transparent these days. There's no shortage of sellers with years of experience, excellent reputations, and thousands of successfully completed transactions. Websites with ratings and reviews of stores are also popular. Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that fraudsters have disappeared—they simply operate in a much more sophisticated way these days. Therefore, not only novices but also those familiar with the mechanisms that govern the online space can fall victim to them. How can you tell if an online store is genuine, honest, and trustworthy? Familiarize yourself with the methods below, and you might be able to avoid a major disappointment!
- Company's data
Behind every reputable online store is a company or business owner. Their details should be easy to find on the store's website – most often found in the "Contact" tab, sometimes also in the footer, "About Us" section, or elsewhere. They must also be presented clearly – at a minimum, the company name, address, and Tax Identification Number (NIP) are required. Many companies go a step further, including their KRS (National Court Register) number and share capital. Sometimes, the names and contact details of the people responsible for specific areas of the store's operations are also provided. All this suggests that you're dealing with a genuine seller. If you have any doubts, it's worth checking whether the information provided is fictitious – any company can be easily identified in the CEDIG (Central Registration and Information on Business) database. If you can't verify who's behind a given store, it's better to avoid making a purchase.
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- Terms and conditions, privacy policy
Online retailers are subject to a number of legal requirements. Every store must have, among other things, terms and conditions and a privacy policy that meet GDPR requirements. If you can't find these documents on the store's website (they should be easily accessible, for example, via links in the footer), the store is definitely suspect.
- Encryption and secure payments
A professional online store cares about the security of its customers. Therefore, they most often use trusted payment gateways. These services allow for secure transactions and the possibility of recourse in case of irregularities. Furthermore, the mere presence of gateways suggests that the store was established by a legitimate company – it requires the signing of appropriate agreements. If the seller offers payment only by bank transfer, it's worth considering purchasing.
You should also check your connection encryption. For some time now, an SSL certificate has been required to encrypt data transferred to the website. If you see a padlock icon in your browser's address bar (to the left of the website address), it means the store uses encryption.
- Clear pricing and shipping costs
The product's price (gross!) should be listed right next to the "add to cart" button. If any additional fees apply, they must be clearly stated. The same applies to shipping costs, which should be specified. Is there any missing information, or is the pricing too confusing? It's better to play it safe.
- Returns and withdrawal policy
By law, a customer has 14 days to withdraw from a distance contract (i.e., to cancel the purchase) without giving a reason. They can then return the goods and receive a full refund. A company's policy should be consistent with the regulations. If a store suggests it doesn't grant customers the right to withdraw from a contract or, for example, demands the return of a product in its original packaging, it is breaking the law. Clauses in store terms and conditions stating that shipping is at the buyer's risk are also prohibited.
It's also worth checking the returns and complaints policy – if it seems too strict, the store is probably not entirely honest – for example, it sells junk that doesn't match the description on the website.
- Opinions
Checking online store reviews before making a purchase is always good practice. Nowadays, there are many websites that make it easy to find and compare reviews. However, a common mistake for beginners is to blindly trust online reviews. In most places, anyone can post a review. That's why various companies (not just stores, and not just those operating online) commission positive reviews. Sometimes, they're easy to spot – they can be terse or written in rather artificial language. You should also be alerted by the large number of unequivocally positive reviews added in a short period of time. Sometimes, they're added to overshadow and compensate for a negative experience described by a real customer – so it's worth carefully reviewing all available data.
It's worth leveraging the power of Google to also access reviews outside of popular review sites. This could be a blog post or YouTube video , for example, warning against shopping at a particular store. Finding them will only take a few minutes, but it can be a significant help!
- Company presence on the Internet
In addition to reviews, it's worth checking other traces of a company's online presence. Reputable stores typically have profiles on social media , and links to them can often be found in the website's footer. It's worth being wary of companies whose profiles are "dead," meaning their posts receive little or no feedback (likes, comments) despite a large number of users following the page.
Many credible marketplaces also offer multiple communication channels and encourage customers to contact them, for example, by asking questions about their products. These aren't mandatory elements, but their absence should be cause for concern, especially if you have other concerns about the store's lack of integrity.
Online shopping – how not to get scammed?
Online shopping can be not only safe but also very enjoyable. However, caution is advised. Before making a purchase, check who is behind the site and what their policies are. Having trouble telling if a store is legitimate? Just don't take the risk. There are many large, well-known sites where you can shop with confidence!
FAQs about safe online shopping
Although the e-commerce market is largely transparent and safe (73% of internet users in Poland use it), fraudsters still operate online. Their methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated, so it's important to always verify the seller's credibility, especially when shopping in unfamiliar places or offering exceptional deals.
Behind every reputable online store stands a specific company or business owner. Key information about them should be easy to locate – most often found in the "Contact Us" tab, the "About Us" section, or in the footer at the very bottom of the page.
A reputable seller provides users with at least the company's full name, physical address, and Tax Identification Number (NIP). Often, you'll also find the National Court Register (KRS) number, share capital information, and direct contact information (e.g., names) for the people responsible for service.
Even if a store provides its details on its website, it's worth checking to make sure they're not fictitious. You can easily, quickly, and freely identify any company legally operating in Poland in the state CEIDG database (for sole proprietorships) or the KRS search engine (for companies).
The main red flag is the complete lack of company registration data (anonymity) or a situation in which the information provided on the website cannot be found in the CEIDG register. The rule is simple: if you can't clearly verify who is actually behind a given store, for safety's sake, refrain from making the transaction.
Summary
The above article covers the following topics:
- Online shopping security: an overview of the most common threats,
- Tips to help you stay vigilant and safe when transacting online.
