Recently, when two of Invention Girl’s tech-loving friends at InventHelp were planning a trip to New York City, they stumbled upon a Craigslist ad that offered a great deal on a week’s stay in a prime apartment in the city. Rather than book an expensive hotel, they decided to check into the apartment option.

They spoke with the seller over the phone and by email, and verified that he accepted payment through PayPal rather than cash only. Convinced the offer was legit, they sent the seller a deposit. After flying from InventHelp’s hometown of Pittsburgh, they finally landed in New York and got to the apartment.

“Scam and Fraud!” blared the sign on the front door. “Apartment 3 is NOT FOR RENT! Do Not Ring Other Doorbells. Contact the Authorities.”

Online shopping and direct-sell sites are very tempting, but this example proves that it’s not always without risk. Even savvy shoppers aren’t immune to online scams. As for my techie InventHelp friends, they never got their money back. On the bright side, they did find a good deal on a room in a swanky hotel.

InventHelp’s Invention Girl has found some great deals on Craigslist, but I always keep in mind that it’s a rogue shopping experience. I always recommend getting more info, a photo and/or references before you give out any personal information. Plus, I always make sure I have another gadget guru with me before going anywhere (or inviting anyone over) to check out an item.

If you want to avoid this stress altogether, shop only at online companies that have clear, easy-to-find refund information. Look for companies that have cash refunds or credits. You can even test the customer service department by calling or emailing with a question, and see how long it takes them to get back to you.

It is a jungle out there in the online shopping world, but with an extra dose of caution it can be a rewarding experience.