Avoid fake online stores and too-good-to-be-true deals. Protect your payment information while shopping online.
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Shopping scams involve fake online stores, counterfeit products, or deals that seem too good to be true. These fake stores often appear in social media ads, offering luxury goods at steep discounts. After payment, victims receive nothing, receive counterfeit goods, or have their payment information stolen.
Scammers create professional-looking websites that mimic real brands or create fictional stores. They use paid social media advertising to reach potential victims and may even run promotions around holidays and shopping events when consumers are actively looking for deals.
Some shopping scams operate as data harvesting operations — the "store" collects credit card numbers, addresses, and personal details that are then sold on the dark web or used for identity theft.
An Instagram ad offers Ray-Ban sunglasses for $24.99 (normally $150+). The website looks professional but the URL is "rayban-outlet-sale.shop" and was registered last week.
A Facebook Marketplace seller offers a PS5 for $150. They insist on payment via Zelle before meeting and say they can ship it.