If you are searching for new investment opportunities online, you might want to consider investing in gold. Gold is a very durable commodity that has been used for millennia as currency or money and can be sold at high prices even during difficult economic times.

However, to learn how to buy gold online, you must know precisely what to look for, not to purchase counterfeit or fake bullion.

Here are tips to help you on your way:

Know What You Want to Buy

If you're planning to purchase ingots, such as the Perth Mint Bullion Series of gold bars, make sure they come from a reputable mint and dealer.

Ingots can be distinguished by their shape and weight, with most coming in denominations ranging from 1/10 oz to 10 oz.

You can buy different options that include:

• Australian Gold Nugget Coins (0.5 g to 10 oz)

• Perth Mint Bullion Series (1/20 oz to 100 g, 1/10 oz to 10 oz)

• Chinese Gold Panda Coins (1/4 oz to 5 kg)

• American Gold Eagle Coins (1/2 oz to 50 troy ounces)

You can also purchase gold in the form of rounds and coins, although these tend to come in slightly lower denominations ranging from 1/20 oz to 5 oz.

Check for Deals Online

According to a report, Australia is estimated to have the world’s largest gold reserves with 9,500 tonnes, or 17% of the total world estimated gold reserves of 57,000 tonnes.

It is essential to find a genuine dealer to avoid getting scammed when you buy gold online.

A quick search online for ‘gold bullion’ will yield hundreds of results. Many reputable gold dealers exist, but it's essential to do your research to distinguish between genuine and fake websites.

Examine the Site You are Using Carefully

Many genuine and fake gold dealing sites offer great deals on their wares, but it's essential to look for red flags when you browse. Some things to look out for include:

• Difficult-to-navigate websites that lack contact information (address, phone number and email)

• Websites that don't list any physical addresses or locations, only PO boxes

• Prices are much less than other sites offering the same product

Check for Payment Options

It's essential to ensure that payment options are secure and not readily exposed or intercepted by potential scammers.

A secure transaction will usually offer some form of encryption, such as 128-bit SSL (secure sockets layer) - the same as websites such as eBay use to authorise payments. Payments should also provide a digital certificate, which can be checked to ensure the site's authenticity.

Pay by Credit Card, Not Wire Transfer or Cash

Never pay for gold bullion with cash or wire transfer, as these are very difficult to trace and could be picked up by scammers.

Credit cards allow you to challenge fraudulent transactions should something go wrong after making payment. You should, if possible, always pay by credit card rather than a debit card, as your bank may decline the transaction if you don’t have sufficient funds in your account.

Check for Return Policies and Warranty Details

As with any site you use to buy gold online, make sure that they offer guarantees and warranties on their products; this way, you will be able to return the product if it doesn't match your expectations.

It will ensure you get what you pay for and come away feeling content and secure in your choice - and new investment.

It is essential to know all these few tips before buying gold online. You can invest without getting scammed by fake or counterfeit products.