--- title: 4 Top Tips on How to Avoid Back to School Shopping Scams | GoStudent | GoStudent description: Back to school season is nearly upon us. Discover our four expert tips on how to avoid back to school shopping scams. image: https://www.gostudent.org/hubfs/Insights-DE-Blog-Images/Shopping-Scam/back-to-school-kind-mit-schultasche.jpg --- × Share your learning needs to match with the ideal tutor, based on personality, learning level and goals. 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- [AI](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tag/ai) - [TRENDING](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tag/trending) - [EXAMS](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tag/exams) - [MORE TIPS](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tag/more-tips) - [BEHAVIOUR](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tag/behaviour) - [LEARNING OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tag/learning-outside-of-school) ## Or read some of our popular articles? ### [FREE Downloadable English GCSE Past Papers with Mark Scheme](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/how-to-find-english-gcse-past-papers) - Guy Doza - 19 May 2022 ### [GCSE Maths Past Papers - Download Your FREE Maths Exam Papers](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/gcse-maths-past-papers) - Alexia James - 18 May 2022 ### [The 15 Best AI Tools for Revision: Create Notes, Summarise Lessons, and Ace Exams](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/the-best-ai-tools-for-revision) - GoStudent UK - 11 March 2026 [TRENDING](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tag/trending) # 4 Top Tips on How to Avoid Back to School Shopping Scams - By [Molly Perkins](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/author/molly-perkins) - October 5, 2021 - | Updated: July 28, 2025 ![](https://www.gostudent.org/hubfs/Insights-DE-Blog-Images/Shopping-Scam/back-to-school-kind-mit-schultasche.jpg) [![Hero](https://www.gostudent.org/hubfs/Hero%20%C2%B7%201285%C3%97445%20%C2%B7%20EN%20%C2%B7%20Blog.png)](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/education-report/2026/) ## Contents 1. [Look out for red flags](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tips-to-avoid-shopping-scams#red-flags) 2. [Only buy what you really need](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tips-to-avoid-shopping-scams#need) 3. [Shop in-store](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tips-to-avoid-shopping-scams#in-store) 4. [Take stop before you shop](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/tips-to-avoid-shopping-scams#take-stock) Back to school season is nearly upon us which means you’ve probably started preparing a mental list of all the school supplies your little one needs for September. There’s a lot to think about when it comes to back to school shopping, from trainers to pencils, lunch boxes to labels. Getting your child ready for the start of a new term is not only stressful, but it’s also expensive. Naturally, you’ll want to explore some ways to save money. Unfortunately, there has been a growing rise in back to school shopping scams that prey on budget-conscious parents. 💰💰💰 Discover our four expert tips on how to avoid back to school shopping scams and find out how to safely save money instead. 🤑 ## 👉 Tip #1 Look out for red flags 🚩 Shopping for school supplies online is a great way to save some extra pennies. However, there are a lot of [fake and dangerous websites](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/how-to-avoid-cyberbullying) out there that will lure you in with prices that seem too good to be true. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is! 😨 Fake websites will usually try and pose as other legitimate brands, imitating their logo and website layout. [Double-check things](https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-spot-a-fake-fraudulent-or-scam-website-aUBir8j8C3kZ) like the website URL and contact information. Try to avoid pop up ads on social media and unfamiliar websites. These fake sites are designed to trick you into buying goods that are either poor quality or will never arrive. Sites such as these are also dangerous because they collect your personal data. It’s a dangerous world online and scammers won’t draw the line at school supplies if it means getting access to your data. Always double-check where you’re buying from and avoid purchasing from anywhere that seems suspicious. 🔍 ## 👉 Tip #2 Only buy what you REALLY need ✔️ With the [transition from home learning](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/when-is-school-starting) to classroom learning, it can be tricky to figure out [what exactly is needed](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/starting-primary-school) when it comes to heading back to school. With both parents and children spending much more time online due to online learning, it’s easy to fall for targeted ads that try to sell you unnecessary school supplies. 📚 The trick is to read up and make a list of exactly what your child needs. Some schools even compile their own lists and publish them on the school website. Write down everything from uniform to stationery, including quantities. That way, you’ll be able to set a budget and won't end up being tricked into purchasing unnecessary items. 💳 ## 👉 Tip #3 Shop in-store 🛒 Now that restrictions have been lifted we’re free to go out shopping again, it might be worth doing some of your back to school shopping in-store instead. While it’s easy to shop around online and compare prices, some shops offer exclusive in-store discounts with special deals on back to school items. Plus, shopping in-store means that you don’t need to worry about [falling victim to an online scam](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/learn-from-mistakes-as-a-parent). Your local supermarket is more than likely to carry back to school supplies, including uniforms! Check out retailers like [Wilko](https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/), [Home Bargains](https://www.homebargains.co.uk/) and even the [Pound Shop](https://www.poundshop.com/) for budget-friendly items. 💷 ## 👉 Tip #4 Take stock before you shop 🏡 It’s easy to fall into the trap of [wanting to buy everything brand new](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/proven-successful-techniques-to-avoid-being-a-stressed-parent) for the start of the school year. Before you start your shopping spree, take a look around the house and give your child’s uniform a thorough inspection to make sure you only buy what you actually need. You’re more than likely to have office supplies lying around the house that your child can take to school. Plus, after such a [long summer break](https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/summer-learning-motivation) you’ve probably forgotten what your little one’s uniform even looks like. Get them to try it in to make sure there are no holes and that everything is the right size. That way, you’ll only invest in what your child really needs. 👍 At [GoStudent](https://www.gostudent.org/en?_ga=2.226729119.381978712.1629293927-445190249.1629293927), e-safety is our priority in our virtual classrooms. We also encourage students and parents to address any concerns they might have regarding online safety. You can book a trial lesson with one of our wonderful tutors [here](https://www.gostudent.org/nachhilfe/subjects?_ga=2.226729119.381978712.1629293927-445190249.1629293927). 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