1. Do some research on the seller. If you find a great brand name designer handbag online, and the price seems to be too good to be true, it just may be a fake.  Check out the reviews for the seller. Spend some time to read reviews from other buyers to see if they had a positive experience dealing with the seller.
   Look out for any seller that doesn't have any reviews or has a disproportionate number of negative reviews.  Also, be wary of sellers that claim they got the bag for a gift and want to get rid of it.  That may be the case, but it may also be a scam.  Try to buy from sellers that specialize in designer handbags, have plenty of positive reviews and are willing to answer questions.
2. Ask questions. Ask some questions about the condition of the handbag.  Ask if the seller has a return policy and have them provide some details about the features of the bag.  A reputable seller will promptly answer any questions and if they stand behind their product, will offer some kind of return policy.
3. Determine if the image is the actual handbag or a representative picture from the manufacturer's site. This is especially important if the bag is used.  If it is listed as used, or gently used, make sure you can see real pictures of the bag to determine if there are any blemishes or imperfections.  Ask the seller for more details if they do not provide any in the description.
4. Use a trusted source to pay for your item. Use a service like PayPal to pay for your purchase.  They will moderate any dispute you have with the seller and will refund your money if they find that the seller has misrepresented the facts in the auction.  Also, check with your credit card company to determine if they have policies to refund your purchase price in the case of fraud.
5. Communicate with the auction host as soon as you suspect fraud. If you're buying a handbag from eBay, their policy requires sellers to properly represent the condition and authenticity of the item.  If you receive something that you believe was misrepresented by the seller, contact eBay and PayPal immediately to file a complaint.  Not only will they do everything they can to get your money back, they will ban that seller from selling fraudulent handbags to others.

If you follow these five tips, you will be able to find the perfect handbag online.  There are great deals to be had out there, so get shopping!