Key Takeaways
Subject in one line
This article is about ING Bank’s public guidance for safe online shopping and the wider fight against fake webshops. [1]
Why it matters now
Fraudulent shops copy real brands, register look-alike domains, and vanish after taking payments. Independent checks cut risk. [2][3]
The single best habit
Open the bank app yourself or type the bank’s address. Do not follow links from unsolicited messages. [1][4]
Quick wins that work
Verify the trader in official registers, click trustmark logos to confirm membership, and prefer payment methods with dispute rights. [2][5][3]
Story & Details
A short rule that blocks many scams
Bank security pages reduce the message to one move: if it concerns your money, view it inside the secure environment you control. That small change defeats many fake login pages that arrive via links. ING sets out this habit in plain language and repeats it during busy shopping periods. [1][4][6]
How fake webshops build credibility
Criminal sites are polished. Templates look modern, images are crisp, and prices sit just below the market. Consumer and domain authorities describe clusters of near-identical sites that reuse text and layouts while cycling new domains. On closer look, warning signs appear: vague “about” pages, missing or unverifiable company details, and trustmark badges that do not link to a real listing. [2][3][7][5]
Payment flow tells more. Pages that push direct transfers, gift cards, or obscure rails leave buyers with little leverage if goods never arrive. Using cards or regulated payment services restores options to challenge a charge. [8][3]
What genuine retailers—and real rights—show
Legitimate shops make identity obvious: legal name, physical address, working contacts, full terms and returns, and clear data policies. In the European Union, traders must show total prices and key product details, and many distance purchases include a 14-day cooling-off period. Public portals explain these rights in simple language and show how to use them. [2][9][10]
ING’s part in everyday protection
ING’s safe-banking pages teach people to spot fake shops, avoid rushed links, and rely on secure channels. They also point to reporting routes when a payment looks suspect or data may have been shared. This sits alongside broader tips on device security and staying alert to new fraud patterns. [1][6][11][12]
The wider safety net
Europol, national police, and public consumer networks keep practical checklists in one place: buy from trusted sources, verify addresses in registers, and take a breath before paying. A short, institutional video from the Australian Federal Police shows how common shopping scams work and how simple checks prevent losses. [13][14]
Conclusions
Slow beats slick
Fake webshops thrive on rush and fear of missing out. Slow down. Type addresses, check trustmarks, confirm company records, and use payment methods that let you dispute charges. With banks, consumer bodies, and law-enforcement sharing the same message, everyday habits turn a tempting trap into an easy pass-by. [2][1][13]
Selected References
[1] ING Bank — Safe online shopping tips. https://www.ing.nl/en/bank/safe-banking/what-you-can-do/safe-online-shopping
[2] KVK (Netherlands Chamber of Commerce) — How to spot a fake online shop. https://www.kvk.nl/en/secure-business/how-to-spot-a-fake-online-shop/
[3] SIDN (.nl registry) — Ten tips for spotting fake webshops. https://www.sidn.nl/en/news-and-blogs/ten-tips-for-spotting-fake-webshops
[4] ING Bank — Report fraud, scam, phishing, loss or theft. https://www.ing.nl/en/bank/safe-banking/report-fraud
[5] KVK — How to spot a fraudulent company in the Netherlands. https://www.kvk.nl/en/secure-business/how-to-spot-a-fraudulent-company-in-the-netherlands/
[6] ING Bank — When in doubt, call ING (safe banking). https://www.ing.nl/en/bank/safe-banking/5-bs/when-in-doubt-call-ing
[7] SIDN — Tackling fake webshops (patterns and guidance). https://www.sidn.nl/en/cybersecurity/tackling-fake-webshops
[8] ING Bank — Debit card refund service (chargeback-style route). https://www.ing.nl/en/personal/payments/debit-cards/refund-service
[9] Your Europe (European Union) — Returns and the right of withdrawal. https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/returns/index_en.htm
[10] European Consumer Centres Network — Online shopping rights and cooling-off rules. https://www.eccnet.eu/consumer-rights/what-are-my-consumer-rights/shopping-rights/online-shopping-rights
[11] ING Bank — Secure banking overview. https://www.ing.nl/en/bank/safe-banking
[12] ING Wholesale Banking — Tips on safe internet banking. https://www.ingwb.com/en/service/online-security/tips-on-safe-internet-banking
[13] Europol — E-commerce fraud prevention tips. https://www.europol.europa.eu/operations-services-and-innovation/public-awareness-and-prevention-guides/e-commerce-tips-and-advice-to-avoid-becoming-fraud-victim
[14] YouTube (Australian Federal Police) — Online Shopping Scams – AFP Cybercrime Series. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnzrnAG5pAc
Appendix
Bank security alert
A short advisory from a bank that warns about threats such as fake webshops and points people back to secure channels.
European consumer advice
Public bodies explain price transparency, delivery rules, and the 14-day right to withdraw from many distance purchases.
Fake webshop
An online storefront that imitates a real retailer but exists to take money or data, often using look-alike domains and copied content.
ING Bank N.V.
A major Dutch bank that publishes safe-shopping guidance and directs customers to open secure channels themselves.
Online shopping scam
A scheme in which buyers pay for goods that never arrive or receive counterfeits; often linked to polished sites with unverifiable company details.
Secure banking app
The official mobile application of a bank that provides encrypted access to accounts and messages and reduces exposure to phishing links.
Trustmark
A certification logo on a webshop; on genuine sites it links to an external page where the retailer is listed as an approved member.
Webshop
An online store; reputable ones identify the trader clearly, publish full terms, and follow consumer-protection rules.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 