Online shopping is fast, easy, and convenient these days—but it's also a goldmine for scammers. From fake websites to counterfeit products, here's everything you need to know to avoid being tricked while shopping online.
Common Types of E-commerce & Shopping Scams
1. Fake Online Stores
Scammers will create professional-looking websites offering high-demand products at unbelievable prices. Once you order, either nothing arrives or you get a cheap knockoff.
Red Flags:
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No contact info or physical address listed.
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Poor grammar or pixelated logos.
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Only accepts sketchy payment methods (wire transfer, crypto, gift cards).
2. Non-Delivery Scams
You buy something online and also get a confirmation email, but then the item never ships—and customer support vanishes.
Red Flags:
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Tracking number doesn’t work.
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Seller stops replying after payment.
3. Counterfeit Product Scams
Popular on marketplace platforms, counterfeit items are sold as real—especially luxury brands, electronics, makeup, and designer goods.
Red Flags:
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Drastically lower price than retail.
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Suspicious seller profiles or few/no reviews.
4. Social Media Scams
Ads for trendy items often pop up on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, directing users to scammy sites that steal credit card info or send low-quality items (if anything at all).
Red Flags:
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Too-good-to-be-true offers.
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No reviews or only 5-star ratings that sound fake.
5. Fake Order Confirmation Emails
You receive an email claiming you made a purchase. It includes a link to "cancel" or "track" your order—but it leads to a phishing site designed to steal your personal info.
Red Flags:
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You didn’t actually place the order.
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Sender email looks suspicious or unofficial.
How to Avoid Shopping Scams
- Always research the website. Look for reviews, contact details, and verify domain age.
- Stick to trusted platforms like Amazon, eBay (with buyer protection), or official brand websites.
- Use secure payment methods like credit cards or PayPal—not wire transfers or gift cards.
- Beware of urgent "flash sale" tactics or countdown timers. Scammers create false urgency.
- Check return/refund policies. No policy = red flag.
- Inspect URLs carefully. Scammers often use misspelled domains (like amaz0n.com or nike-outlet.store).
- Before buying, Google the store name + “scam” or “review” to see what others are saying. Trust your gut—if it feels off, it probably is.
What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
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Contact your bank or credit card provider immediately to dispute the charge.
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Report the scam site to Google Safe Browsing or ScamAdviser.
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Report to your country’s fraud authority.
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Warn others by sharing your experience online or through reviews.
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