What to Do If You Get Scammed While Shopping Online

Discovered you've been scammed? Don't panic. Follow these essential steps to protect yourself, recover your money, and report the fraudulent seller.

By LegitShops Research

Stay Calm and Act Quickly

Discovering you've been scammed can be distressing, but acting quickly is crucial. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of recovering your money and preventing further damage.

Step 1: Document Everything

Before taking any action, gather all evidence related to the scam:

Screenshots of the website, product listings, and prices
Order confirmation emails and receipts
All communication with the seller
Payment transaction records
Tracking information (if any was provided)

Step 2: Contact Your Payment Provider

Your next step depends on how you paid:

Credit Card

Credit cards offer the best protection. Contact your card issuer immediately to dispute the charge. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you're protected against fraudulent charges and can dispute transactions within 60 days.

Debit Card

Contact your bank as soon as possible. Debit card protections are weaker than credit cards, but many banks will still help you recover funds if you report quickly.

PayPal

Open a dispute through PayPal's Resolution Center within 180 days of the transaction. PayPal's Buyer Protection program covers eligible purchases.

Bank Transfer or Wire

Contact your bank immediately, but unfortunately, wire transfers are difficult to reverse. This is why scammers often prefer this payment method.

Cryptocurrency

Crypto transactions are typically irreversible. This is why you should never pay with cryptocurrency unless you completely trust the seller.

Step 3: Report the Scam

Reporting helps authorities track down scammers and protect others:

FTC (Federal Trade Commission): Report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
IC3: The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov
Your State Attorney General: File a consumer complaint
Better Business Bureau: Report the business at bbb.org
LegitShops: Leave a review to warn other shoppers

Step 4: Protect Your Personal Information

If you shared personal information with the scammer:

Change passwords for any accounts that may be compromised
Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts
Monitor your credit reports for suspicious activity
Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze
Watch for phishing emails pretending to be from legitimate companies

Step 5: Request a Chargeback

If your initial dispute doesn't work, you can formally request a chargeback from your credit card company. Provide all your documentation and explain:

What you ordered vs. what you received (or didn't receive)
Your attempts to resolve the issue with the merchant
Why you believe this is fraud

How to Prevent Future Scams

Learn from this experience to protect yourself going forward:

Check reviews first: Use LegitShops to research unfamiliar websites before purchasing
Look for red flags: Prices too good to be true, poor grammar, no contact information
Use secure payment methods: Credit cards offer the best protection
Verify the website: Check for HTTPS, valid contact details, and a physical address
Trust your instincts: If something feels off, don't proceed

When to Seek Legal Help

Consider consulting an attorney if:

You lost a significant amount of money
Your identity was stolen
The scammer is a domestic company you can identify
Multiple victims may be involved (potential class action)

Conclusion

Getting scammed is frustrating, but you're not powerless. By acting quickly, documenting everything, and reporting the fraud, you maximize your chances of recovery while helping protect others from the same fate. Remember: always research unfamiliar online stores on LegitShops before making a purchase.