Avoid The Traps

A third of all shopping is now done online – with a staggering 71% of consumers admitting they’ve been ripped off. Now the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have launched a new awareness campaign – Online Rip-Off Tip-Off – fronted by Angellica Bell, co-presenter of The Martin Lewis Money Show, to alert shoppers to misleading online practices.

“Online shopping can be so convenient that it’s easy to switch off our in-built lie detector,” warns Jasmine Birtles, financial guru and

CEO of Money Magpie ( MONEYMAGPIE.COM). It’s vital to keep your wits about you, she explains. “Firstly, know what you want before you go online, then make sure you have your ’sceptical hat’ on. And always remember that if it sounds too good to be true… it probably is!”