How to Spot a Fake Shopping Website

What this helps with: Checking an online store before you buy, so you get what you paid for.

Most online stores are real. A few quick checks help you avoid the fake ones.

Before you buy: 5 checks

1. Look at the price. A brand-name item at a price far below every other store is a warning sign. Fake shops often advertise on social media.
2. Check the web address. Look at the bar at the top of the screen. Is the store name spelled right? Watch for extra words or letters, like “amaz0n-deals” instead of “amazon.”
   • What you’ll tap: The address bar at the top of Safari or Chrome. Tap it once to see the full address.
3. Search for reviews. Open a new search and type the store’s name plus review, complaint, or scam. See what other shoppers say.
4. Look for real contact details. A real store lists a return policy, a phone number, or an email address you can use.
5. Check how they want to be paid. Paying by credit card gives you the most protection. If a store only accepts gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or cryptocurrency, it’s probably a scam.

When you buy

• Save your receipt and order number. Take a screenshot if you need to.
• Sellers have to ship by the time they promise, or give you a chance to get your money back.

If something goes wrong

• The item never arrived, or it’s not what was shown. Contact the seller first. If that doesn’t work, call your credit card company using the number on the back of your card and ask to dispute the charge.
• I paid with a gift card or wire transfer. Contact the gift card company or your bank right away and tell them it was a scam.
• I think a site is fake. Close the page. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Reporting helps protect others.
• It’s not your fault. Fake stores can look very real.

Official sources

• FTC: How to avoid an online shopping scam
• FTC: Report fraud

Last checked: Oct 15, 2026

This is general help, not personalized tech support or financial or legal advice.