Scam shops copy real designs and run ads on social media. Before you enter card details on a shop you do not know, run these checks.
- Read the web address carefully. Look for spelling tricks and odd endings. The padlock only means the connection is encrypted, not that the shop is honest.
- Search the shop name with the word “reviews” or “scam”. Look at independent sites, not only the shop’s own pages.
- Look for real contact details. A physical address, a phone number and clear return terms are good signs.
- Be suspicious of prices far below every other shop. A real bargain does not usually come with a countdown timer.
- Check the payment options. Be careful when a shop only accepts bank transfer or gift cards.
- Check the shop’s age. A free domain lookup shows when the domain was registered. A shop that started last week has no track record.
- Pay with protection. A credit card or a payment service with buyer protection gives you a way to dispute the charge.
If you already paid
Contact your bank or card issuer right away, report the shop, and change the password if you created an account with one you use elsewhere.
