Scam shops can use polished photos, countdown timers and huge discounts to make you buy quickly. Do not let urgency decide for you. If something feels off, close the tab and look for the product elsewhere.
1. Read the website address carefully
Look for spelling changes, strange extra words or a domain that does not match the brand name. A secure connection symbol only means the connection is encrypted; it does not prove that the seller is genuine.
2. Look for real business and contact details
A legitimate shop should make it possible to identify and contact the seller. Look for a business name, physical address, return policy and a working email or phone number. Copy the business name into a search engine and see whether details match elsewhere.
3. Search for reviews away from the shop
Do not rely only on testimonials displayed on the shop’s own pages. Search for the shop name together with words such as review, scam or complaint. A new business may have few reviews, but repeated reports of non-delivery or impossible returns are a warning.
4. Check the returns, delivery and total price
Read the delivery estimate, return conditions and any fees before ordering. Be careful if policies are missing, copied badly, or make no sense for the country where the shop claims to operate.
5. Use a payment method with protection
Prefer a credit card or a reputable payment service that offers a dispute process. Avoid sellers who insist on a bank transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards or payment to a personal account. Those methods can be difficult or impossible to reverse.
When to stop
Stop immediately if the seller pressures you with a countdown, asks for an unusual payment method, has no clear contact details, or sends you to a different website to complete payment. Take a screenshot, then leave the page.