Online shopping scams surged to $392 million in losses in 2023 in the US. Scammers create professional-looking fake stores, promote them through social media ads, and steal payment information or ship counterfeit goods. This guide helps you shop safely.
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Look for clear contact information, a physical address, return policies, and about pages. Verify the address on Google Maps. Check the domain age through WHOIS lookup — new domains selling established brands are red flags.
Don't trust reviews on the site itself — they can be fabricated. Search "[site name] reviews" on Google, check Trustpilot, BBB, and Reddit. Look for specific, detailed reviews, not generic praise.
If designer goods are 80% off, if electronics are half price, or if luxury items cost a fraction of their retail value, the site is either selling counterfeits or taking your money without shipping anything.
Pay with credit cards that offer purchase protection and chargeback rights. Avoid wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or debit cards for online purchases. Credit cards provide the best consumer protection for disputed charges.
Many fake stores advertise through Facebook and Instagram ads. Before buying from a social media ad, research the store independently. Check their follower count, how long the page has been active, and search for the store outside of social media.