Safe online shopping

Even though the vast majority of online purchases are successful, thousands of Danes are still scammed on fake webshops every year. We have gathered a number of good advices from the e-mark, The Danish Consumer Council and The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (Danish only) about what to be aware of when you shopping online.

BEFORE THE PURCHASE

Look critically at the webshop

Does the website seem credible? Misspellings, very low prices or prices that have strange numbers like DKK 376.43 can all be signs of a fraudulent website.  

On our website, you can do a Whois search of all .dk-domain names, which provides you with information about the person or company behind a specific website.

Also, check the webshop’s contact information. It should provide the company name, postal address, email address and phone number.

Check the web address (URL)

If you use a search engine, such as Google, to find a specific webshop, you should keep an eye on the web address. IT scammers can hack serious webshops, so that you are being redirected to a fake webshop. However, the web address will often tell you if you ended up in a fake webshop.

Look for the e-mark

When you are shopping on a website that is e-marked, you can be sure that the shop complies with Danish law and is controlled by lawyers from e-mark. E-mark can also help you if you experience problems with your purchase.  

Also, it's a good idea to install the e-mark plug-in for Chrome - Safe Shopping. Read more and download it here (in Danish only).

Find out what others are saying about the webshop

Perform a Google search or use a consumer review page like Trustpilot to check out other consumer’s experiences with the webshop.

You can also check if the webshop is on the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority’s list of companies that have not complied with a decision from the Consumer Complaints Board. Click here to see the list (Danish only)

Be aware when buying goods from private individual

If you purchase products online from a private individual, you are not protected by the same rules as when you make a purchase online on a webshop. For instance, you don’t have the right of withdrawal unless you make a specific agreement with the vendor. Therefore, don’t pay for the product before you have seen it and ask the vendor about the original receipt.

 

DURING THE PURCHASE

Take care of your personal information

The pin code for your credit card is strictly personal. Never share it with others.

You should only type in the card number, expiry date and control digits in the final stage of the purchase. Moreover, never share your card details by email, phone or on social media.

Also, be aware if an online shop asks for unnecessary information they don’t need, such as your Danish civil registration number (CPR).

Read the trade and delivery terms

You must understand the conditions of your purchase. Read the trade and delivery terms before pressing BUY. Note in particular the cancellation terms and if you are subscribing to a subscription.

Pay with a credit card

If you pay with a credit card, you are protected by the indsigelsesordningen (the option to claim back payments and have a transaction reversed by your bank) if your goods never show up or if the shop withdraws more than agreed amount from your bank account. In such cases, your bank can help you get your money back.

Never pay by bank transfer.

Look for secure payment

Find out if the connection on the payment page is secure, before you pay. A green lock or “https” in your browser means that others can’t see the payment details.

 

AFTER THE PURCHASE

Save your order confirmation

The receipt or the order confirmation is your proof of purchase. Save it in case the goods don’t show up or don’t live up to your expectations.

Check your bank account

Always check whether the amount on the receipt is corresponds to the amount withdrawn from your bank account. Contact your bank if there are posts you don’t understand.

Know your rights

In Denmark, you have a number of rights when you shop online. For instance, you have 14 days’ full right of return when you make a purchase from a Danish webshop. Read more here (Danish only).

Ask for help

If the damage is done and you wish to register a complaint about a product from an online shop, you can contact the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority or E-mark, which both have free hotlines. You can contact the European Consumer Centre Denmark if there are disagreements between you and a company in another EU country. The Consumer Complaints Board handles complaints regarding e-commerce.