Fraudulent Webshop (Dubious Webshop)

Goods ordered through a webshop are not delivered. Contact details for a webshop are missing or incorrect.

Buying from an unknown seller or an unfamiliar online shop always involves a certain amount of risk. Once someone has fallen victim to a fraudulent website, it is usually too late and the money is lost. This is why it is important to check whether an online shop is trustworthy before making a purchase. You should not place an order if you have any doubts about the website or the seller.

• Specific measures

  • If contact details are missing or incorrect, you can report the shop to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
  • If you have not received your goods, contact the shop again – sometimes there is no bad intention.
  • Check whether the purchase is covered by insurance (e.g. credit card, trusted online shops).
  • If you have suffered a financial loss, we recommend that you report it to the police. You can find your nearest police station on the Suisse ePolice website.

• Preventive measures

  • Before making any purchases, check out the online merchant in detail. Alarm bells should ring if an offer is obviously too cheap.
  • Use customer feedback (reviews) to build a picture of the seller.
  • Check whether the seller has an "About" section and whether this is complete and plausible. For example, does the provider have a plausible contact address, a correct telephone number or email address and a commercial register number?
  • Check the information on cancellation rights, returning goods and shipping costs.
  • Avoid providing your credit card number unless it is absolutely necessary. If you do need to provide it, make sure you only do so on an encrypted website (look for 'https://' and a padlock or key symbol in your browser's address bar).
  • Check your credit card statements carefully and report any discrepancies to your card issuer.

• How the NCSC can help

  • The NCSC reports suspected scam websites with a link to Switzerland to law enforcement authorities so that they can take appropriate action with the provider or registrar concerned.
  • The NCSC reports Swiss online shops that do not comply with legal requirements to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). SECO reviews the report and takes action if a violation is found.
  • Your report via the online form helps the NCSC identify trends. This makes it possible for the NCSC to raise public awareness in a targeted way.

• Further Information

  Buying and selling online

  Foundation for Consumer Protection: Various reports on online shopping (available in German)

  State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)