The internet has made shopping more convenient than ever, but it has also opened the door for scams.
Fake websites that claim to sell cheap products are increasingly common, targeting people looking for good deals. While these sites may look professional and convincing, they often exist only to steal money, personal information or both.
Fraudulent e-commerce sites usually advertise extremely low prices on popular items such as electronics, designer clothing, shoes or household goods. Once a shopper makes a purchase:
- The product never arrives – payment is taken, but no order is shipped.
- A counterfeit or low-quality item is sent – instead of the advertised product, customers receive a cheap knockoff.
- Personal information is stolen – scammers use credit card numbers, addresses and other data for fraud or identity theft.
These websites often pop up quickly and disappear once enough people have reported them, only to reappear under a new name and web address.
Spotting a fake online store can be tricky, but there are warning signs:
- Unbelievably low prices: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Strange website address (URL): Scammers often use misspellings of well-known brands or random strings of letters.
- No contact information: Legitimate businesses list a phone number, address and customer service email.
- Poor website design: Typos, blurry logos and broken links are signs of a scam.
- Suspicious payment methods: If a site asks for wire transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency only, it’s not trustworthy.
- No reviews or fake reviews: Look for independent reviews outside the website itself.
How to protect yourself
- Research before buying: Search the company’s name with the word “scam” or “reviews.”
- Check security: Make sure the website uses “https://” and has a padlock icon in the address bar.
- Use trusted retailers: Buy directly from brand websites or well-known online stores.
- Pay with credit cards: They offer more protection than debit cards or cash methods.
- Be cautious with ads on social media: Scammers often use sponsored posts to lure shoppers.
What to do if you’re scammed
If you realize you’ve purchased from a fake website:
- Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to dispute the charge.
- Change your passwords if you created an account on the site.
- Report the website to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- Warn others by leaving reviews or sharing information.
