Medium riskOnline Shopping Scams

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.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Fake retailer scam
Main red flag
A social media ad offering a popular product at an unrealistically low price from a store you have never heard of.
What to do first
Do not rush to buy. Research the store's name and reviews independently before entering any payment details.

What this scam usually looks like

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.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: 'FLASH SALE - 80% OFF today only! Premium [product] going fast, almost sold out. Order now before stock runs out: [unfamiliar link]'

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.

Red flags to watch for

  • Discounts that seem far too large for a popular or branded product
  • A store name you cannot find any independent reviews or history for
  • Heavy countdown timers and 'almost sold out' pressure in the ad
  • No clear contact address, returns policy or company details on the site
  • Payment only by methods that are hard to dispute, such as bank transfer

What to do

  • Search the store's name alongside words like 'review' or 'scam' before buying
  • Check for a genuine address, returns policy and working contact details
  • Pay using a method with buyer protection, such as a credit card, where possible
  • Take screenshots of the ad, listing and order in case you need to dispute it

If you already clicked or replied

  • Avoid entering card details if the site shows several warning signs
  • If you paid, contact your bank or card provider about a possible chargeback
  • Save all order confirmations, adverts and messages as evidence
  • Report the ad to the social media platform and your national consumer body

What not to do

  • Do not pay by bank transfer or gift card to an unknown store
  • Do not reuse a password you use elsewhere when creating an account
  • Do not ignore a much-too-cheap price just because the ad looks professional

Similar scams

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 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.
High risk Marketplace

Puppy Sale Scam

This scam advertises pets at attractive prices, then asks for a deposit before you can meet the animal and keeps adding fees for shipping, crates, or insurance, while the pet does not actually exist.

Frequently asked questions

Are all heavily discounted social media ads scams?
No, but very large discounts on popular items from unknown stores are a common warning sign. It is worth checking the seller independently before buying rather than trusting the ad alone.
The ad has lots of likes and good comments, is it trustworthy?
Engagement and reviews can be faked or bought. Look for independent reviews away from the ad, and be cautious if the only positive feedback appears on the seller's own pages.
I received a counterfeit instead of the real item, what now?
Keep all evidence and contact your bank or card provider about a chargeback. You can also report the seller to the platform and to your national consumer protection body.
How can I shop more safely from social media ads?
Research the store first, prefer payment methods with buyer protection, check the returns policy, and be wary of urgency and prices that look too good to be true.

Last reviewed: June 2026

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.