Common Traits of Fake Online Stores: What to Watch Out For

The rise of e-commerce has made shopping online more convenient than ever. But along with this convenience is an increasing amount of fake websites that are set up to take users’ money and personal details. Phony retailers of the sort that thrive on platforms like Facebook and Instagram are becoming more professionalized, well-constructed enough that it's difficult to tell the difference between a scam and a legitimate online business. Thankfully, consumers can detect the characteristics of fraudulent online stores, and with the help of tools such as a scam website checker, they can stay completely protected and safe.

Incredible Prices That Seem Too Good to Be True

Over the years, questionable pricing will be the biggest red flag. When a site is offering designer apparel for a fraction of the price, name brands for less, or high-end tech items at rock-bottom prices, you should be suspicious. Scammers know that large discounts are tempting and they bait shoppers to provide their credit card information. Always shop around and compare prices at several sites. If something is too good to be true, then it likely is.

Poor Website Design and Grammar

Honest businesses have spent money on their website to make it look professional and reliable. The fake online stores can simply look outdated, with poor design, faulty grammar, and a lack of sensitive references. It’s not that one typo means a site must be a scam, but a pattern of poor-quality writing or strange phrasing might show scammers threw together the site quickly.

Lack of Contact Information

Legit online shops will provide their contact details, such as an address, telephone number, and customer service email. Scam websites offer only a generic contact form or email address. Even if an address is posted, double-check with a map or a search engine. A contact page that is missing or looks suspicious is a big warning sign.

No Secure Payment Options

If you’re shopping online, find out if payment is secure, such as by credit or through a reputable processor such as PayPal. Gray says counterfeit sites might request payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or some other untraceable method — it is unlikely you will get your money back if you are scammed. And, be sure the URL begins with “https://” — the “s” signifies that the site is secure and encrypts your data.

Unrealistic or Missing Return Policy

Reputable sellers will have easy-to-find return and refund policies. Scam websites will typically either have ambiguous return policies or avoid mentioning them completely. Before you buy anything, especially from a seller you don’t know, always look at a site’s return policy.

No Social Media Presence

Most real-world businesses, even the small ones, have some type of social media presence for engaging with customers. If a business has no social media links or, worse, if those links lead to dead or nonactive pages, it might be a bad sign. Review other shoppers’ reviews and comments about the company to determine its reputation.

Artificial Reviews or No Reviewsрос

Scam sites may feature fictitious reviews, generated by bots or taken from elsewhere. These reviews are usually very glowing about the product in vague language with no specifics. A reputable online store will have a range of reviews — some gushing, some critical. Use caution with any site that has no reviews or nothing but suspiciously perfect reviews.

Use a Scam Website Checker

If you’re questioning the authenticity of a site that claims to sell clothes, one of the very best things you can do to be well on the safe side is to put the site through a scam website checker. These techniques look at things like the age of the domain, user feedback, website history, and if the site is secure to help determine if a site is real or not.