People warned to watch out for Mother's Day scams

People shopping to spoil mum this weekend are being warned to be diligent when buying online.

NSW Fair Trading said Mother's Day shoppers faced being hoodwinked if they weren't careful about where they spent their money.

There are some red flags people should watch out for, including very low prices and unusual payment options, such as money order or wire transfer.

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More tips for shopping safely online include:

• Read the terms and conditions and note any additional fees or cancellation charges before making a purchase.
• Check the delivery timeframes.
• Ensure the website is secure before making payment. Look for the closed padlock symbol next to the website address, and make sure the website address begins with https (remember that the "s" stands for "secure").
• Take screenshots and save copies of documentation such as receipts and confirmation emails.
• Be wary of clicking links in emails or social media messages as they may direct you to a fake site or download malware to your device to steal your personal information.

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If consumers have any issues with goods or services purchased from a business, NSW Fair Trading urged them to first approach the trader and try to resolve the matter.

If this is unsuccessful, they can lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trading online

"People need to take steps to keep themselves safe from scams," NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann said.

"One of the best ways to detect a fake trader or online shopping scam is to search for independent reviews before buying."

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Can you pick the Black Friday scam text message?

She warned that fake sites could look "very convincing".

"It's also important to check the trader's returns and refund policy," Mann said.

"Most products and services have automatic consumer guarantees, which means you can get a remedy if a product is faulty, or if you receive the wrong item.

"Consumer rights apply whether buying online or in store."

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