Have you ever seen a great online deal and clicked “Buy Now,” only to realize too late that the website wasn’t real? As digital shopping becomes more common, especially through social media or lesser-known shopping sites, online purchase scams are also on the rise. Scammers are finding new ways to trick shoppers into handing over money or personal information.
If you’ve ever lost money on a fake product or waited weeks for a package that never came, you’re not alone. Remitly has created this guide to help you recognize common online shopping scams from unfamiliar websites and sellers.
What are online shopping scams?
Online shopping scams are designed to steal your money or personal information during a purchase. These scams can appear as fake websites, shady social media ads, or sellers who disappear after payment. Some mimic real brands or use fake reviews to look legitimate, and they can be very convincing.
Scammers use a lot of different tactics. Some clone real store websites with slight changes in the URL. Others run flashy ads on social media offering prices that seem too good to pass up.
Common types of online shopping scams
Online scammers use a range of tricks to get your money, here are the common scams to watch out for:
Fake e-commerce stores
These scam sites look like legit online stores, complete with shopping carts and customer reviews. But once you pay, either nothing shows up or you get a random item that isn’t even close to what you ordered. These fake shopping websites often vanish soon after collecting money.
Phishing stores
These aren’t just fake stores, they’re traps designed to steal your personal information. They ask for sensitive details like your credit card number or bank login during the checkout process.
Social media ads for cheap products
These scams start with flashy ads on platforms like TikTok or Instagram, offering luxury-looking items for suspiciously low prices. Clicking the ad takes you to a fake store, where scammers collect your money and send nothing, or something obviously fake. In some cases, these sellers only operate through social platforms like Instagram or WhatsApp, with no website. After you send money, they may ignore your messages, block you, or delete their account altogether, leaving you with no way to recover your purchase.
Sellers who disappear after purchase
On small or unfamiliar marketplaces, individual sellers sometimes go silent after a sale. You place an order, pay, and then hear nothing. No tracking, no refund, no way to contact them again.
Sellers demanding extra payments
Some scammers purposely hold back part of your order and then demand more money before sending the missing items or a replacement. This tactic traps you into paying more while they never intend to deliver what you originally purchased.
How to spot a scam website or seller
Scam stores often leave behind clues if you know what to look for. Here are signs that something isn’t right:
No contact information or vague return policies
Legitimate online stores usually display clear contact details, including a working email or phone number, and explain how returns and refunds work. If the only contact is a form with no response or policies that seem deliberately unclear, that’s a warning sign.
Prices drastically lower than other sites
Huge discounts that undercut the competition by a large margin are often bait for scam operations. If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Always compare with trusted retailers. Legitimate businesses rarely offer brand-new products at unbelievable prices without a catch.
No HTTPS security (look for the lock icon)
Secure websites start with “https://” and show a padlock icon. This encryption protects your data during transactions. Without it, your personal and payment details can be intercepted. Clicking the padlock can also show you more about the site’s security, if the browser warns that the certificate is invalid or expired, it’s safest not to continue.
Poor grammar or product descriptions
Scammers often copy and paste from other websites or use automated translations, resulting in bad spellings, awkward phrases, and sloppy or unnatural language. If product details sound off or overly generic, they probably haven’t been written by a real seller.
Only communicates through social media apps
Be cautious if a seller only offers to chat through Instagram DMs, WhatsApp, or other messaging apps. Legitimate businesses usually provide more than one way to reach them, like a working email address, phone number, or website support page.
Only accepts wire transfers, gift cards, or crypto
Reputable online stores usually use secure, traceable payment methods like credit cards, which offer fraud protection. If the site pushes for only non-traditional payments like gift cards or crypto, it’s a major red flag.
Best practices for safe online shopping
A few smart habits can help you shop with confidence and understand how to avoid online shopping scams before they cost you time and money.
Buy from known and reviewed sites
Buy from well-known platforms or trusted local sites offering excellent buyer protection and customer service. These sites usually offer solid customer support, clear return policies, and often remove suspicious sellers quickly, making them a smart choice for anyone practicing good scam awareness.
Take screenshots of receipts and communications
One of the most important safe online shopping tips is to take screenshots of your order confirmation, receipts, and any messages with the seller. These records are essential if your package never arrives or the seller goes silent. Screenshots give you proof to share with your bank or law enforcement when filing a claim.
Check for reviews
Fraudulent sellers often fake five-star reviews to appear trustworthy. To double-check, Google the brand’s name along with words like “scam” or “review,” or search sites like Better Business Bureau (BBB) for real customer feedback. You can also use the BBB Scam Tracker to see if others have reported similar schemes.
Avoid clicking random Instagram or TikTok shop links
If you see an Instagram or TikTok ad with unbelievable deals, be cautious. Many scam accounts on social media use eye-catching videos or fake celebrity testimonials to lure buyers. Always verify the store’s profile for authenticity or search for the website manually through a search engine instead.
What to do if you get scammed
If you’ve been scammed while shopping online, taking quick action can help you limit the damage and protect others.
Contact your bank or card provider immediately
Call your bank or credit card company to report the transactions and request a chargeback. Many financial institutions have fraud protection policies and can freeze further payments to the scammer.
Report the site
Reporting scams helps protect others and increases the chances of shutting down fraudulent websites or sellers. Whether you recover your money or not, report the case to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US. The FTC collects consumer reports and shares them with law enforcement agencies to help investigate and take down the scam networks.
If you’re outside the US, other countries usually have their own consumer protection agencies or cybercrime reporting portals. These agencies may investigate the scam, enforce consumer laws, or guide you on the next steps. You can often find your local office contact through a quick government website search or ask your bank for guidance. We’ve also compiled a set of country-specific scam recovery resources to help you get started, while not exhaustive, it highlights key resources in many regions.
If the scam happened through a social media ad, comment, or online shop hosted on Instagram or Facebook, report the post or seller directly through the platform. Most sites have a report option or a help center to file complaints. Reporting scams helps platforms investigate and remove bad actors quickly.
Warn others by leaving honest reviews
Sharing your experience can prevent others from being tricked by the same scammers. Post on review sites, forums, or community pages with clear details, but avoid sharing personal information.
Monitor your bank statements and change passwords
Keep an eye on your financial accounts for any unusual transactions over the next few weeks. If you created an account on the scam website, avoid reusing that password. Be sure to update it anywhere else you may have used it. Consider enabling two-factor authentication for added security.
How Remitly helps with safe financial transactions
To help protect your money, Remitly uses advanced security features that monitor transactions for signs of fraud or unusual activity. These tools help detect suspicious behavior, block risky transfers, and notify you when something looks suspicious, so you can act quickly.
If you feel unsure or think you might have been targeted by a scam, Remitly’s customer support team is available 24/7. You can reach them through the official app or at Remitly’s Help Center.
Conclusion
Online shopping makes life easier, especially when deals are just a click away, but it also comes with real risks. Scammers rely on quick decisions and tempting offers to trick buyers, so you need to slow down and stay alert.
Before making a purchase, take a moment to research the website, check reviews from outside sources, and make sure payment methods are secure. Trust your instincts, if something feels off, it probably is.
Before you click “Buy Now,” double-check the source. Your money and personal information are worth protecting.
FAQs
What are the common signs of a fake shopping website?
Fake sites often lack clear contact information, use poor grammar or low-quality images, and push for unusual payment methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto. If prices seem too good to be true, they usually are.
Is it safe to shop from social media ads?
Sometimes, but approach with caution. Scammers use targeted ads to promote fake products or stores. Always research the seller, look for outside reviews, and avoid entering payment details directly on social platforms.
What should I do if I give my bank information to a fake seller?
Act fast. Call your bank to report the fraud. Monitor your account for suspicious activity, and consider changing your card or freezing your account to prevent further loss.