Online Shopping Scam — Fake Stores, Marketplace Fraud & How to Get Your Money Back
The FTC received 2.5 million online shopping fraud reports in 2023. Here is how to recognize fake stores, what to do if you were scammed, and how to get a refund.
8 Red Flags of a Fake Online Store
Prices Are 50–90% Below Market Value
If a $600 item is listed for $89, it is either counterfeit, it will never arrive, or the store does not exist. Legitimate clearance rarely exceeds 50% off. Check the same item on Amazon, the brand's official site, and Google Shopping before purchasing from an unknown store.
Domain Registered Less Than 1 Year Ago
Over 95% of fake online stores use domains registered within the past year. Check domain age using our Domain Age Checker. No legitimate established retailer operates on a brand-new domain.
No Working Phone Number or Verifiable Address
Legitimate retailers have real customer service. Paste the address into Google Maps — if it is a vacant lot, a house, or a virtual office, the store is fake. Call the phone number before ordering.
Only Accepts Bank Transfer, Crypto, or Gift Cards
Refusing credit cards is the biggest red flag of all. Scammers avoid credit cards because chargebacks let you get your money back. If a store does not accept Visa/Mastercard, do not buy from it.
All Reviews Are 5-Star With No Specifics
Check reviews on Trustpilot, Google, and the Better Business Bureau — not the store's own site. Fake stores generate fake reviews. Look for reviews mentioning no delivery, counterfeit products, or impossible refunds.
URL Misspells a Known Brand
Example: amaz0n-deals.com, nikeshoestore.net, apple-iphone-sale.com. These are lookalike phishing sites. Always type brand URLs directly into your browser — do not click links from ads or social media posts.
No Returns Policy or an Impossible Returns Process
"All sales final," "return must be shipped internationally at buyer's expense," or a returns email that bounces. Legitimate stores have clear, accessible return policies.
Urgency Tactics: "Only 2 Left!" or "Sale Ends in 00:05"
Artificial scarcity and countdown timers are manipulation tactics designed to stop you from researching the store. Real sales do not require you to make a decision in minutes.
Most Common Online Shopping Scam Types
Non-Delivery Scam
You pay for a product that never arrives. The store may send a fake tracking number that shows "delivered" to a different address in your zip code. After several weeks, the store stops responding to emails.
Protection: Always pay by credit card. Dispute as "item not received" within 120 days.Counterfeit / Fake Goods
You receive a product, but it is a low-quality counterfeit of what was advertised. Common for luxury goods, electronics, supplements, and designer clothing. The item looks nothing like the product photos.
Protection: Buy from authorized retailers. Dispute as "significantly not as described."Facebook Marketplace Overpayment Scam
A "buyer" sends you a check for more than your asking price and asks you to wire the difference back. The check later bounces. You lose both the item and the "refunded" difference.
Protection: Never accept checks from strangers. Only accept cash (local) or verified platform payments.Subscription Trap / Free Trial Scam
You sign up for a "free trial" with credit card info. Fine print enrolls you in a monthly subscription at $49–$99. Cancellation is made intentionally difficult or impossible.
Protection: Read T&Cs. Use a virtual card with a spending limit for trials. Dispute recurring charges with your bank.If You Were Already Scammed — Do This Now
- 1Call your bank or card issuer immediately. Request a chargeback — do not email, call. Have the transaction date, amount, and merchant name ready.
- 2Report the fake store to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This helps take the store down and protects other buyers.
- 3Report the store to Google at safebrowsing.google.com to get it flagged in search results.
- 4Report to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker.
- 5Check the website's safety score using our Website Safety Checker — share the report link to warn others in reviews and forums.
Frequently Asked Questions
The website disappeared — can I still get my money back?
Yes. Contact your card issuer immediately and dispute the charge. The chargeback process does not require the merchant to be reachable — in fact, an uncontested chargeback (where the merchant does not respond) is more likely to succeed in your favor.
I paid with PayPal Friends & Family and got scammed — what can I do?
PayPal Friends & Family has no buyer protection — it is designed for personal transfers, and scammers specifically ask for this payment method to prevent disputes. You can still file a report with the FTC, report to PayPal as "unauthorized," and contact your bank if you funded via bank account or debit card. Recovery is harder but report immediately.
How do I check if a store is real before buying?
Use our Website Safety Checker to get a 0–100 safety score for any URL. Check domain age, look for the store on Trustpilot, search "[store name] + scam + review" on Google, and verify the physical address. Never trust social media ads for unknown stores.
Check any website before you buy
Get an instant safety score for any URL — SSL, domain age, blacklists, and AI threat analysis in seconds.
Check a Website Now — Free →Fraud analysts and cybersecurity researchers specializing in online scam detection, phishing analysis, and victim fund-recovery guidance. About our team →