SCAM AWARENESSFake online stores
A fake online store is a website or social media shop that looks real but exists only to take your money or card details. It may advertise popular products at very low prices. After you pay, you receive nothing, a cheap knockoff, or something completely different, and the store often disappears.
How this scam works
Scam stores often appear through social media ads or search results, especially around holidays or when a product is hard to find. The site may copy logos and photos from real brands and use a web address that is close to a real one. Prices are far below other sellers, and countdown timers push you to buy now.
At checkout, the site may ask for a payment app, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, or it may collect your card number for later misuse. You might get a fake tracking number to keep you waiting. When you try to complain, emails bounce, phone numbers don't work, and return policies turn out to be meaningless.
What it can look like
EXAMPLE · NOT A REAL MESSAGESocial media ad: "Closing sale! Brand-name boots 80% off, today only. Only 7 pairs left in your size! Shop now at [link]. Free shipping on all orders."
Warning signs
- Prices are far below what other sellers charge.
- The site is new and has no real address or phone number.
- The web address is slightly different from a well-known brand's.
- Payment by wire, payment app, gift card, or crypto is requested.
- Reviews are all perfect, vague, or missing.
- Spelling mistakes, odd grammar, or copied photos appear throughout.
How to protect yourself
- Search the store name with "scam" or "complaint" before buying.
- Type the web address of known stores yourself instead of clicking ads.
- Pay with a credit card, which generally gives you dispute rights.
- Avoid stores that only accept wire, gift cards, payment apps, or crypto.
- Check for real contact information and a clear return policy.
- Be extra careful with deals that seem too good to be true.
If you already responded
- Call your card company using the number on the back of your card to dispute the charge.
- Ask your card company about replacing your card if you entered its number on the site.
- If you paid by payment app or wire, contact that company right away to report fraud.
- Save the order confirmation, website address, screenshots, and emails.
- Report the store to the FTC, IC3, and the platform that showed the ad.
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Where to report it
Common questions
How can I tell if a shopping website is legitimate?
Search the store name with words like "scam," "complaint," or "review." Look for a real physical address, working phone number, and clear return policy. Be wary if the site is very new, has prices far below other sellers, or only accepts payment methods that are hard to reverse.
What's the safest way to pay when shopping online?
A credit card usually gives the most protection, because you can dispute charges for items you never received or that were not as described. Avoid paying online sellers with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps, since that money is often very hard to recover.
What if my order never arrives from an online store?
Contact the seller in writing first and keep a copy. If you don't get a quick answer, call your card company and dispute the charge, since disputes have time limits. Report the store to the FTC. If you got a tracking number, check it directly on the shipping carrier's own website.