Had a bad experience with an online marketplace? Stumbled across some fake retailers while shopping online? Let us know and you'll be in with a chance of winning €250.

Whether we're putting in the weekly grocery order, attempting to nab concert tickets for our favourite artist or checking out the latest second-hand online marketplaces, shopping online has become a huge part of our lives.

There's certainly a convenience to online shopping, but at the same time, scam artists are operating in that field, hiding in plain sight and ready to take advantage with a purchase scam.

With a purchase scam, fraudsters will offer goods and services that never materialise. This type of fraud is typically carried out online, often through fake websites and social media accounts that mimic legitimate brands. Once a payment is made, the customer never receives the goods or service. 

Visa are continually educating customers on how to protect themselves when paying online, and they've put together a couple of red flags you need to keep an eye out for while shopping online. And remember, for added security while shopping online, pay with Visa, as it has measures to help protect your payments. 

If it's too good to be true, it probably is.

One of the first signs of a purchase scam is if the deal seems unbelievably good. Scammers often lure consumers in with heavily discounted prices on popular items to encourage them to make a purchase without thinking twice. Before you click 'buy now', take the time to research the seller, and if it seems too good to be true, it most likely is.

Trust your gut.

Legitimate retailers put a lot of time, money and effort into crafting functional sites with a smooth user experience. Scammers often put websites together quickly, so if you notice spelling and grammatical errors, misuse of lower and upper cases, broken links or just an outdated feel, steer clear.

Unusual payment methods.

Be wary of sites that require unusual methods of payment, like bank transfers.

Vague contact details

Try and find detailed contact information in the 'About Us' section of the website, like an address or phone number. If the details are vague, that's a red flag.

Inconsistent branding

Pay attention to the website's or social media's branding, there may be small differences that differentiate it from the real retailer. Always look for a verified symbol on social media platforms.

Only exists in Ads or pop-ups

If you see a retailer advertised through an ad, but then you can't actually find a result for it through a search engine, then it may not be trustworthy.

We're currently partnering with Visa to help learn more about the types of scams our readers come across, and everyone who participates will be entered into a draw to win €250.

Simply fill out the survey below to share your experiences and you'll be in with a chance of winning €250.

Entries close on the 5th of December.

Good luck and thanks for taking part!

Terms and conditions apply. Click here for full details.