Consumer & Retail · Fraud Guide
Online Shopping Scams
Also known as: Fake Store Scam, Non-Delivery Scam, Counterfeit Product Scam
MODERATE
Severity
$100–$1,000
Typical Loss
811
Articles in Archive
Who is targeted: Online shoppers of all ages, but older adults newer to online shopping are particularly vulnerable.
The most commonly reported scam by volume. Social media ads are a primary driver.
Phase 1 · Awareness
▼
That incredible deal on social media might be a fake store.
Fake online stores advertised through social media offer popular products at impossibly low prices. The product never arrives, is counterfeit, or is dramatically different from what was advertised.
Key signs:
⚠ Prices far below every other retailer.
⚠ Recently created website.
⚠ No physical address or phone number.
How It Works
1
You see an ad on Facebook or Instagram for a product at an amazing price.
2
The website looks professional with product photos and reviews.
3
You enter payment information and complete the purchase.
4
The product never arrives or is a cheap knockoff.
5
The website may disappear, and your payment info may be stolen.
All Warning Signs
⚠ Prices far below every other retailer.
⚠ Recently created website.
⚠ No physical address or phone number.
⚠ Reviews feel generic.
⚠ Payment only via wire transfer or crypto.
Phase 2 · Prevention
▼
Shopping safely online.
Verify unknown retailers before buying.
Search the store name plus 'scam' or check the BBB and Trustpilot.
Pay with a credit card.
Credit cards offer fraud protection. Wire transfers are nearly impossible to reverse.
Be skeptical of social media ads with unbelievable prices.
If a $200 product is being sold for $30, it's a scam.
Verify unknown retailers before buying.
Search the store name plus 'scam' or check the BBB and Trustpilot.
Pay with a credit card.
Credit cards offer fraud protection. Wire transfers are nearly impossible to reverse.
Be skeptical of social media ads with unbelievable prices.
If a $200 product is being sold for $30, it's a scam.
Look for https:// but know it's not enough.
SSL certificates are easy to get. A secure connection doesn't mean the seller is legitimate.
Phase 3 · Detection
▼
Signs of a shopping scam.
Watch for:
🔍 Confirmation from a generic email address.
🔍 Tracking number doesn't work.
🔍 Can't reach the seller or website.
Immediate action:
→ Dispute the charge with your credit card company.
All Warning Signals
🔍 Confirmation from a generic email address.
🔍 Tracking number doesn't work.
🔍 Can't reach the seller or website.
🔍 Product is nothing like advertised.
What To Do Right Now
→ Dispute the charge with your credit card company.
→ Document everything — screenshots, emails, what you received.
→ Report the seller to the ad platform.
→ Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Phase 4 · Recovery
▼
Recovery after a shopping scam.
First steps:
→ File a chargeback with your credit card company.
→ File a PayPal dispute if applicable.
→ Report to BBB Scam Tracker.
Financial Recovery
→ File a chargeback with your credit card company.
→ File a PayPal dispute if applicable.
→ Report to BBB Scam Tracker.
→ Monitor for additional unauthorized charges.
Emotional Recovery
These scams use professional websites and real advertising platforms. Being fooled doesn't reflect on your judgment.
Contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
From the Archive
811 articles about online shopping scams
Browse all articles → · Search within this category →
en.sedaily.com
· 2026-03-22
mexc.com
· 2026-03-18
cnet.com
· 2026-03-18
newsweek.com
· 2026-03-14
newsroom.paypal-corp.com
· 2026-03-10
insidehalton.com
· 2026-03-10
theindependent.sg
· 2026-03-10
indiatechnologynews.in
· 2026-03-07
khon2.com
· 2026-03-05
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2026-02-28