What are fake shopping websites?
Fake shopping websites are fraudulent online stores created to steal your money, personal data, or both. Some sell counterfeit products, while others take your payment and never ship anything. The worst ones use phishing (like fake emails, shady ads, or bogus DMs) to collect your personal and financial data and use it for identity theft. Victims don’t even realize they’ve had their credit card details stolen until unauthorized charges start showing up.
Scam websites often appear in the form of "limited-time offers," trendy clothing shops, or too-good-to-be-true electronics deals. Some even copy the look of real online shopping sites to trick you into thinking you're buying from a legitimate retailer.
How to know if a shopping website is legit
Plenty of online scams start with a fake online store, often pushed through social media ads, shady sponsored links, or even search engine results. Before you hand over your payment details, run through these eight checks to avoid fake websites and make sure you're dealing with legitimate companies and safe online stores.
1. Check the website URL and domain age
One of the simplest ways to spot a fake website is by carefully examining the domain. Scam sites are usually thrown together quickly and don't last long. Scammers don't invest in long-term domains because they know their sites will get shut down eventually, so be vigilant:
- Look at the URL closely. Many fake websites mimic legitimate companies, only with slight misspellings or extra words. Avoid domains like "amaz0n-discount.net" or "nike-clearance.shop."
- Use a domain age checker to see when the website was created. Many legitimate websites have been around for years, while scam sites pop up overnight and disappear just as fast. If a domain was created last week but claims to be a major brand, that’s a hard no.
2. Analyze website design and content quality
You don't need to be a web designer to spot that something is off. Fake online stores often reuse templates or fill pages with low-quality images and generic product descriptions. If the site looks like it was built in a rush, it probably was — and not for the right reasons.
Red flags of suspicious websites include:
- Blurry product images or logos.
- Missing pages (like "About us" or "Returns policy").
- Sketchy layout or clunky navigation.
- Placeholder text ("Lorem ipsum" still on the page).
3. Look for spelling, grammar, and formatting mistakes
A couple of typos are not the end of the world. However, broken English, random capital letters, and inconsistent formatting tell a different story. Legitimate site owners proofread their content. Fake sites usually don't bother. Multiple errors in product descriptions, FAQ sections, or checkout pages are strong signs something's not right.
4. Look for contact information and social media links
Check if the store has published info about privacy and contact details like a physical address and phone number. Trustworthy online stores make it easy to contact them. Fake websites usually hide behind contact forms or don't offer any real support options. If the site doesn't provide any reliable way to reach the company behind it, don't give it your money.
Most legit businesses also are active on at least one social media platform. If an online retailer doesn't have a social media presence or the provided social icons go nowhere, be suspicious. Then again, some scams create multiple social media accounts with fake followers to seem credible, so dig a little deeper if something feels off.
Make sure to check:
- Is there a phone number and email listed?
- Does the company have a physical address?
- Do the social media icons actually lead to real profiles, or are they just dead links?
5. Be wary of unrealistic prices
That brand-new iPhone for $99? Nope. A leather jacket that usually sells for €300 listed at €25? Also not a good idea. Fake websites trick victims into giving them money by promoting huge discounts on in-demand products. While sales happen, they're rarely this extreme, especially on big-brand goods. If the price is too good to be true, you’re probably looking at a scam website.
6. Look for HTTPS and secure checkout options
Always check the address bar before you pay. If there’s no padlock icon or the URL doesn’t start with “https,” the site isn’t using a secure and encrypted connection, which means your personal and payment info could be exposed.
Next, look at how the store wants you to pay. Legitimate websites offer trusted options like PayPal, Stripe, or standard credit cards. Walk away if the site asks for:
- Bank transfers.
- Crypto payments.
- Payment through weird third-party platforms.
7. Research company's online reputation
A quick Google search can save you a lot of regret. Google something like "[store name] reviews" or "is [this website] legit to buy from." Sites like Trustpilot or even Reddit are goldmines of real customer experiences.
Fake sites may fake a few reviews, but they can't fake an entire reputation. If multiple people say they never got their order, believe them.
This step is especially helpful when looking up online clothing stores to stay away from since fashion scams are extremely common.
8. Use a website checker
If you're still not sure, use a link scanner to analyze the site's safety. NordVPN's link checker is a fast and free way to verify if a suspicious site has been flagged for scams, phishing, or shady behavior.
Even if everything looks normal on the surface, a good site status checker can catch blocklisted domains, hidden redirects, or phishing traps you'd never spot on your own.
How to avoid fake shopping websites
Staying safe online doesn't have to be complicated. Just stick to a few smart habits to avoid fake websites:
- Shop from well-known retailers or brands with a solid history.
- Google the store name along with phrases like "reviews" or "scam" before buying.
- Avoid websites that appear only in ads or pop-ups.
- Don't trust deals that seem too good to be true.
- Use credit cards or PayPal for extra protection.
- Avoid links shared by random influencers or spammy comments — some of them promote fake stores for a quick payout.
- Always double-check the website's domain and contact info.
- When in doubt, type the retailer's name directly into your address bar or use the company’s official mobile app. It’s often the safest way to shop directly.
Use NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro™
One more way to stay protected while shopping online: Threat Protection Pro™ from NordVPN. It helps block access to scam websites automatically and alerts you before you enter a known fake online store.
NordVPN's fake-shop detection system works in real time, filtering dangerous sites before you even click. Combine that with a secure VPN connection, and your online shopping habits get a whole lot safer.
What should I do if I ordered something from a fake website?
If you ordered from a fake website, don't panic and act fast. You may still be able to limit the damage, report the fraud, or get your money back.
Start by contacting your bank or card issuer to report the charge. You may be able to dispute the payment or file a fraud claim, especially if the transaction was recent.
If you used the same password on the scam site that you use elsewhere, change it immediately. Then, turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) to keep your other accounts from being compromised.
You should also scan your device for malware. Visiting risky sites, even without making a purchase, can expose you to tracking scripts or hidden downloads.
Finally, keep an eye on your credit. Check your credit report regularly for anything suspicious. In the US, you can get a free report from each major bureau at annualcreditreport.com.
How to report a fake shopping website
Always report scam websites to help take them down faster and make shopping online safer for others. The following steps can guide you:
- 1.Collect all relevant information. Save receipts, confirmation emails, screenshots of the website and your order.
- 2.Report the site. You can use this guide on how to report a website to Google Safe Browsing and organizations like the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG).
- 3.File a police report. Contact your local law enforcement office to file a report. It’s useful for investigations, and your bank or credit card company may need a copy to process any claims or refunds.
- 4.Warn others. Leave a review or post on social media to warn others, especially when it comes to fake fashion stores, which often target shoppers looking for a deal.
Can I get my money back from a fake website?
Yes, you can get your money back from a fake website if you act quickly and if you used the right payment method. Depending on how you paid, the steps you take next may differ:
- Credit card. Call your bank or credit card company and file a chargeback. Most will refund fraudulent purchases.
- PayPal. Open a dispute through the Resolution Center. PayPal often sides with the buyer, especially if the item never arrived. In recent scams, fraudsters targeted PayPal customers with fake confirmation emails and bogus shops, so don’t ignore anything that feels off.
- Bank transfer. Call your bank immediately. It’s a long shot, but they may be able to freeze the transfer or reverse it.
- Crypto payments. Unfortunately, these are almost impossible to recover unless law enforcement steps in.
No matter how you paid, speed matters. The sooner you report a fake website scam, the better your chances of getting your money back.
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