How to avoid online purchase scams

Online purchase scams are on the rise, warn Santander and Gumtree. But how do these marketplace scams work and how can you stay safe?

Online purchase scams
(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you’re planning to buy a new camera or house-hunting online, keep your eyes peeled for suspicious ads or scam posts. 

There is a chance that you may get tricked by a fraudster and end up losing valuable money or private information.

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Oojal Dhanjal
Editorial Content Producer

Oojal has a background in consumer journalism and is interested in helping people make the most of their money.Oojal has an MA in international journalism from Cardiff University, and before joining MoneyWeek, she worked for Look After My Bills, a personal finance website, where she covered guides on household bills and money-saving deals.Her bylines can be found on Newsquest, Voice Wales, DIVA and Sony Music, and she has explored subjects ranging from politics and LGBTQIA+ issues to food and entertainment.Outside of work, Oojal enjoys travelling, going to the movies and learning Spanish with a little green owl.