Online shopping is convenient—but it’s also become a playground for scammers. Learn how to spot fake websites and protect your money.
🛒 How Online Shopping Scams Work
Scammers create fake online stores that look like legitimate businesses. They often:
- Offer luxury or popular items at very low prices
- Copy branding and logos from real companies
- Use fake reviews and testimonials
- Accept payment but never deliver the product
Once they get your money, they may disappear or send counterfeit or completely different items.
🚩 Red Flags of a Fake Online Store
- Prices that are too good to be true
- No contact information or only a contact form
- Suspicious domain names (e.g., brandname-sale.com)
- No secure payment methods (no padlock or “https”)
- Bad grammar or spelling mistakes on the website
- Only accepting wire transfers, crypto, or gift cards
🔎 Real-Life Example
James saw a branded sneaker for half the regular price on a social media ad. He paid with a debit card and never received anything. The website vanished within two weeks.
✅ How to Shop Safely Online
- Stick to reputable and well-known retailers
- Check for SSL certificate (look for “https://”)
- Research the site—look for reviews outside of the website
- Avoid paying with crypto or wire transfers
- Use credit cards or payment services with chargeback protection
🆘 What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
- Document everything (screenshots, receipts, emails)
- Report to your bank and request a chargeback
- File a fraud report with local authorities or cybercrime units
- Report the website to search engines and fraud monitoring agencies
- Contact Fast-Recover — we help trace transactions and recover your funds
Need Help?
Lost money to an online store that disappeared? Fast-Recover can help you trace the source and fight back.
📧 Email: info@fast-recover.com
🌐 Website: www.fast-recover.com
