Hi there. If you are suspicious that the supplier you are dealing with is acting fraudulently, you should stop all further payments and contact a consumer law authority and the police.

When you shop online, the rights and remedies available to you will depend on whether the supplier is based in Australia or overseas. Since it is unclear where your online supplier is based, the information provided here relates to Australian law.

For Australian businesses, you will always be entitled to a refund if the business misleads you by hiding significant costs and other details. This right arises automatically under the Australian Consumer Law without needing to satisfy further conditions proposed by the business. If the online business is based in Australia, there are several authorities you can go to for help. As a starting point, you could contact or lodge a complaint with the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (www.accc.gov.au), which has the power to investigate breaches of the Australian Consumer Law. You can ask them to refer you to other consumer help organisations if the matter falls outside their area of responsibility.

If you think the supplier has been more than just misleading, and has fraudulently taken your money, this is a crime and you should report it to the police. Online scams can be reported to your local police station. You may also want to report the matter to the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (https://report.acorn.gov.au), which may investigate the matter on your behalf, depending on the nature of your report and level of detail you provide.

Suggested way forward

Your rights as a victim of online fraud or misleading trade will vary depending on the identity of the supplier and the feasibility of taking legal action against them. You should immediately stop paying the supplier and consider speaking to a lawyer who can advise you on the best course of action. By pressing the “Consult a Lawyer” button, LawAdvisor can help you search for experienced lawyers and obtain fee proposals for their services. Costs for legal advice and representation will vary between providers based on experience and the scope of services.