Shopping Fraud
Online Shopping Scams
Fake online stores steal millions from shoppers annually. Products never arrive, are counterfeit, or vastly different from advertised. Learn to spot fake shops and recover your money.
🛒 How Shopping Scams Work
Fraudsters create professional-looking websites advertising products at steep discounts. They often impersonate legitimate brands or create entirely fictional stores. These sites typically appear in social media ads or search results.
After payment, victims either receive nothing, get cheap counterfeits, or items completely different from what was ordered. The "company" stops responding, and the website may disappear entirely.
⚠ Warning Signs
Prices Too GoodLuxury items at 70-90% off retail price
New/Unknown WebsiteRecently registered domain with no online presence
Poor Website QualityGrammar errors, stolen images, broken links
No Contact InformationMissing phone number, address, or customer service
Limited Payment OptionsOnly bank transfer or unusual payment methods
No ReviewsNo independent reviews or only fake testimonials
🛠 Getting Your Money Back
- Contact Your Payment ProviderCredit cards have 120-day chargeback rights. PayPal offers buyer protection. Bank transfers are harder but not impossible.
- Document the FraudScreenshot the website, save emails, note exactly what was promised vs. delivered.
- File a ChargebackContact your bank's dispute department. Explain you paid for goods that were never delivered or were not as described.
- Report the Fake StoreReport to consumer protection agencies and the platform where you found the ad.
Didn't Receive What You Ordered?
Shopping scams often have good recovery rates, especially if you paid by credit card. Let us help you navigate the chargeback process.
Report Your Case