Medium riskOnline Shopping

Custom Product Scam

In this scam, a seller advertises custom or personalised products, such as engraved gifts, art, or made-to-order items, takes full payment citing the bespoke nature, then ships nothing or a poor imitation and resists refunds.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Non-delivery (bespoke goods)
Main red flag
Full prepayment for a custom item from an unproven seller with a 'no refunds' policy.
What to do first
Use sellers with a track record and pay by a method you can dispute.

Understanding this scam

In this scam, a seller advertises custom or personalised products, such as engraved gifts, art, or made-to-order items, takes full payment citing the bespoke nature, then ships nothing or a poor imitation and resists refunds.

Online shopping scams use fake stores, unbelievable deals, and counterfeit or never-delivered goods to take your money and card details. Fake sites often surface through ads and social media and pressure you with limited-time offers.

If you take one thing from this guide, make it this: Full prepayment for a custom item from an unproven seller with a 'no refunds' policy. Use sellers with a track record and pay by a method you can dispute.

If your message looks slightly different, check the Pre-Order Scam or the Fake Online Store Scam, both are close cousins of this pattern. Every related guide lives in the Online Shopping Scams guides, and the scam checker can scan the text you received.

A typical example

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Handmade personalised piece, made just for you. Full payment required upfront and no refunds since it's custom. Ships in 6-8 weeks.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

The tell here: Full prepayment for a custom item from an unproven seller with a 'no refunds' policy.

What the data shows

Top category
online shopping is one of the most-reported fraud categories to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that started on social media in 2023, where many fake shops advertise
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Warning signs

  • Full upfront payment for a bespoke item
  • A 'no refunds because it's custom' policy
  • An unproven seller with few genuine reviews
  • Stock photos rather than examples of real work
  • Repeated delays and excuses after payment

Your safest response

  • Order from sellers with verifiable reviews and real examples
  • Pay by a method that lets you dispute non-delivery
  • Keep order confirmations and promised timelines
  • Set a deadline to request a refund if it slips

If you have already engaged

  • If it does not arrive, request a refund, then dispute with your payment provider
  • Keep all messages, photos, and confirmations as evidence
  • Report the seller to the platform
  • Leave an honest review to warn others where possible

What to avoid

  • Do not assume 'custom' justifies no buyer protection
  • Do not pay by methods you cannot dispute
  • Do not ignore repeated delays past your dispute window

You might also see

Medium risk Online Shopping

Pre-Order Scam

In this scam, a seller takes pre-orders and full payment for an upcoming or hard-to-get product, then endlessly delays, makes excuses, and never ships, often disappearing once enough orders are collected.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
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.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Low risk Online Shopping

Dropshipping Scam

A store, often advertised on social media, sells cheap overseas goods at a large markup and ships them slowly from a low-cost supplier. Items can arrive late, look nothing like the photos, or be poor quality, with refunds made difficult.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Questions people ask

Is 'no refunds because it's custom' legitimate?
Custom items can have limited returns, but that does not remove your rights if the item never arrives or is grossly not as described. Pay by a disputable method.
How do I order bespoke items safely?
Choose sellers with genuine reviews and real examples of their work, pay by a protected method, and keep records of the order and timeline.
My custom order never arrived. What now?
Request a refund, then dispute the charge with your payment provider using your evidence, and report the seller.
What if I just get endless delays?
Set a clear deadline and act within your dispute window; do not let repeated delays push you past the point of claiming your money back.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

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.