Online Shopping Scams

Online shopping scams involve fake or dishonest stores that advertise popular products at very low prices, then take payment and deliver nothing, a counterfeit, or a cheap substitute. Related scams send fake order-confirmation or 'problem with your order' emails to harvest your login and card details. These sites often appear briefly through social media ads before disappearing.

Common red flags

  • Prices that are far below the normal price for popular items
  • A brand-new store with no real reviews or contact details
  • Only unusual payment methods such as wire transfer or gift cards
  • Fake order or shipping emails for purchases you did not make
  • Pressure from countdown timers and 'almost sold out' messages

Online Shopping scam guides

High risk Online Shopping

Fake Online Store Scam

This scam sets up a convincing but fake store with very low prices, takes payment, and delivers nothing, a counterfeit, or a cheap substitute.
Medium risk Online Shopping

Social Media Shopping Ad Scam

This scam uses eye-catching, heavily discounted product ads in social media feeds to lure you to fake or dishonest online stores that take your payment and deliver nothing, or send a cheap counterfeit instead.
Medium risk Online Shopping

Fake Coupon Scam

This scam uses fake discount codes, 'spin to win' wheels, or coupon sites that look like a deal but exist to collect your personal and card details, push survey traps, or spread links across social media.
Medium risk Online Shopping

Free Trial Subscription Trap Scam

This scam offers a 'free trial' for skincare, supplements, or similar products where you 'just pay shipping', then quietly enrols you in costly recurring charges that are difficult to cancel.
Medium risk Online Shopping

Knockoff Brand Store Scam

This scam runs a website posing as an official brand outlet or 'clearance' store. It sells counterfeit goods, or takes your payment for heavily discounted items and never ships anything genuine.
Low risk Online Shopping

Fake Review Scam

In this scam, fake or paid five-star reviews and fake review websites make a dishonest seller, product, or store look trustworthy, leading shoppers to buy items that are poor quality, counterfeit, or never arrive at all.
Medium risk Online Shopping

Gift Card Balance Scam

In this scam, a fake 'check your gift card balance' website or message asks you to enter your gift card number and PIN, which the scammer then uses to drain the card's value before you get the chance to spend it.

Frequently asked questions

How can I check if an online store is legitimate?
Look for a real contact address, search the store name with the word 'scam' or 'review', and check how long the site has existed. Be wary if only risky payment methods are offered.
Is it safer to pay by card than by bank transfer?
Card payments often carry more consumer protection and can be disputed, while wire transfers and gift cards are very hard to reverse. Avoid stores that only accept hard-to-trace methods.
I got an order email for something I did not buy. What now?
Do not click the links. Log in to the real retailer's website directly to check your orders, and treat the email as possible phishing.

Related scam categories

Email Scams

Email scams (phishing) imitate companies you trust to trick you into logging in on a fake page, paying a fake invoice, or downloading an attachment.

13 guides

Marketplace Scams

Marketplace scams target buyers and sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, using fake payments, overpayment tricks, and pressure to move off-platform.

11 guides

Delivery & Postal Scams

Delivery scams impersonate couriers and postal services with fake 'missed delivery' or 'customs fee' messages that lead to phishing pages.

8 guides

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.