The BBC reports today that setting up a copycat web site to sell fake goods takes only a few seconds. The report goes on the mention that some fraudulent web sites are so sophisticated that they even have counterfeit security certificates to fool shoppers. And that fraudsters have used links to "bargains" sent via social networking sites, internet forums and in e-mails to get customers to the sites.

There has been a four fold rise in the number of fake goods seized at UK borders in the last 10 years, with more than 3.7 million being seized last year (see our post from February this year Goods I Bought Online were Confiscated by the Police.

So what's the answer? We recommend you

• look for contact details and customer service policies
• check the delivery times and prices
• make sure your payment is encrypted by checking for a secure server
• pay by credit card (this can give you extra protection)
• print your order confirmation

Use your instincts. If it smells bad it's probably rotten. But at Shopsafe we're experts at sniffing out criminal sites. See more safe shopping advice.

Or just start your online shopping with Shopsafe. We're the experts in safe online shopping, we'll help you shop at respectable, honest web sites.

All of the sites listed on Shopsafe have been verfied by us to be safe to shop at.  We look for secure servers at the payment stage, customer service policies, UK based contact details and compliance with the latest legislation.  You can post a review of a site and your shopping experience for others to read, and if you have a problem with a site listed on Shopsafe we'll look into it for you. Sites that no longer conform to our standards will be removed.

Many people buying fakes will think they have secured a bargain, but this could cost them in the end, according to Phil Buckle, director general of the Electrical Safety Council. "Just this month a teenager was badly burnt after buying seemingly genuine hair straighteners." Don't get burnt, shop safe.