Medium riskOnline 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.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Non-delivery (advance payment)
Main red flag
Full upfront payment for a product that 'ships later' from an unproven seller.
What to do first
Prefer sellers with a track record and pay by a method you can dispute later.

How this scam works

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.

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.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: Full upfront payment for a product that 'ships later' from an unproven seller. Prefer sellers with a track record and pay by a method you can dispute later.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Fake Online Store Scam and the Electronics Deposit Scam. See the full Online Shopping Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • Full payment required far ahead of any delivery
  • A 'no refunds on pre-orders' policy
  • An unproven seller with little history or reviews
  • Repeated delays and shifting shipping dates
  • Only irreversible payment methods accepted

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Pre-order the new console now, limited units! Pay in full today to reserve, ships in 4-6 weeks. No refunds on pre-orders.'

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.

What gives it away: Full upfront payment for a product that 'ships later' from an unproven seller.

The scale of it

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

How to protect yourself

  • Buy pre-orders from established retailers with clear refund policies
  • Pay with a method that lets you dispute non-delivery
  • Keep all order confirmations and promised dates
  • Set a personal deadline to request a refund if it slips

Already responded? Do this now

  • If the date keeps slipping, request a refund in writing promptly
  • If refused or ignored, dispute the charge with your bank or payment provider
  • Keep all messages, dates, and confirmations as evidence
  • Report the seller to the platform and to consumer authorities

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not pay in full to unproven sellers far ahead of delivery
  • Do not accept endless delays without acting
  • Do not use payment methods you cannot dispute

Related scams to know

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
High risk Marketplace

Electronics Deposit Scam

This scam advertises a cheap phone, games console, or laptop, then asks you to send a deposit to 'hold' or 'reserve' the item before you can meet or before it ships. After you pay, the seller disappears.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Marketplace

Concert Ticket Scam

Scammers advertise resale tickets for sold-out or popular events on social media and marketplaces. After you pay, often by a method that is hard to reverse, you receive no valid ticket, or a duplicate that will not scan at the door.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

Are pre-orders always risky?
Pre-ordering from established retailers with clear refund rights is usually fine. The risk rises with unproven sellers demanding full, non-refundable payment far in advance.
The seller keeps delaying. What should I do?
Request a refund in writing, set a clear deadline, and if it is refused or ignored, dispute the charge with your payment provider using your evidence.
How long should I wait before disputing?
Act within your payment provider's dispute window; do not let repeated delays push you past the deadline to claim your money back.
How can I pre-order more safely?
Use reputable retailers, confirm the refund policy, pay by a disputable method, and keep all confirmations and promised dates.

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.