Shopping Scams
Shopping online is convenient, but scammers have created an entire world of fake stores, counterfeit products, and deceptive deals designed to take your money. Knowing what to watch for can save you from losing hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars.
🏪 Fake Online Stores
How it works: You find a professional-looking website selling popular products at deeply discounted prices. The site has product photos, a shopping cart, and looks just like a real store. You place an order and enter your credit card information. The product never arrives — or you receive a cheap, unrelated item — and now the scammer has your payment details.
The truth: These websites are built quickly and cheaply, often copying images and descriptions from legitimate retailers. Many only exist for a few weeks before disappearing.
What to do: Before buying from an unfamiliar store, search the website name plus “scam” or “reviews.” Check how long the site has existed by looking for a contact page with a real phone number and physical address. If only a contact form is provided and prices seem too low, don’t buy.
📱 Social Media Marketplace Scams
How it works: You find a great deal on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or OfferUp. The seller asks you to pay through Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, gift cards, or wire transfer. After you pay, the item never ships — or the seller stops responding entirely.
The truth: These payment methods offer little or no buyer protection. Once the money is sent, it’s nearly impossible to get it back. Scammers specifically request these methods for that reason.
What to do: For local purchases, meet in person in a public place and pay with cash. For shipped items, use platforms with built-in buyer protection like eBay or Amazon. Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
⭐ Fake Reviews and Ratings
How it works: A product on Amazon, Walmart, or another major site has hundreds of five-star reviews and looks like a safe purchase. But the reviews were written by paid reviewers or bots. The actual product is low quality, counterfeit, or nothing like what was advertised.
The truth: Fake reviews are a massive industry. Sellers pay for positive reviews and even buy negative reviews for their competitors. A high star rating alone does not mean a product is legitimate.
What to do: Read the actual written reviews — not just the star rating. Look for reviews with photos from real buyers. Be suspicious if hundreds of reviews were posted around the same date or use very similar language. Tools like Fakespot.com can help analyze review authenticity.
📧 Fake Order Confirmations
How it works: You receive an email or text saying an order has been placed on your account — usually from Amazon, Walmart, or Apple — for an expensive item you didn’t buy. The message includes a phone number or link to “cancel” the order. When you call or click, the scammer asks for your login credentials, credit card information, or remote access to your computer.
The truth: No order was actually placed. The entire message is designed to create panic so you act without thinking.
What to do: Don’t call the number or click the link in the message. Instead, log in to your account directly by typing the website address in your browser. Check your actual order history. If no order exists, delete the message.
💊 Health and Miracle Product Scams
How it works: Ads online or on social media promote miracle cures, anti-aging treatments, weight loss supplements, or pain relief products — often claiming to be endorsed by doctors or celebrities. You order a “free trial” and only pay shipping. Then you discover recurring monthly charges on your credit card that are difficult to cancel.
The truth: These “free trials” are traps. Hidden in the fine print are terms that sign you up for automatic monthly shipments at full price. The products themselves are often unregulated and untested.
What to do: Be very cautious with any “free trial” that requires your credit card. Read the fine print carefully. Research the company and product before ordering. If you’ve been trapped in recurring charges, call your credit card company to dispute the charges and request a new card number.
Safe Online Shopping Habits
- Stick to stores you know and trust. If you find a new store, research it before buying.
- Use a credit card, not a debit card. Credit cards offer fraud protection and make it easier to dispute unauthorized charges. Debit cards pull money directly from your bank account.
- Look for “https” in the address bar. The “s” means the site encrypts your information. A padlock icon should appear next to the address. This doesn’t guarantee a site is safe, but it’s a minimum requirement.
- Be wary of deals that seem too good. 80-90% discounts on name-brand products are almost always a sign of a scam or counterfeit goods.
- Save your receipts and confirmation emails. Keep records of what you ordered, when, and how much you paid in case you need to dispute a charge.
- Check your credit card statements regularly. Look for small unfamiliar charges — scammers often start with a small test charge before making larger ones.