● MEDIUM RISK

Fake Online Store

A storefront with real-looking products and unreal prices takes your payment and either ships nothing or sends a counterfeit. Many are built fast and abandoned just as fast. Pay by credit card so you can dispute it, and be wary of a brand-new site selling brand-name goods for a fraction.

Losses: $770 million (FTC 2024)

Targets: Online shoppers, bargain hunters

Updated: 2026-01-06

Also known as: Fake Shopping Site · Non-Delivery Scam · E-commerce Scam

How It Works

Scammers create convincing fake stores with incredible deals: **How they look legitimate:** - Professional website design - Stolen product photos from real stores - Fake reviews and testimonials - Accepts major credit cards - Shows trust badges (often fake) **What happens:** - You order and pay - Order confirmation email (sometimes) - Product never arrives, OR - You receive cheap knockoff or completely different item - Customer service is unresponsive - Site disappears after a few months

How Scammers Make Contact

Social media adsGoogle adsEmail marketing

Warning Signs & Red Flags

Prices too good to be true (70-90% off)
Recently created website (check WHOIS)
Poor grammar and spelling
No physical address or phone number
Only accepts unusual payment methods
No or fake reviews
Copied content from legitimate stores
URL similar to but not exact match of known store

Real-World Example

"I found a Facebook ad for a clothing store with 80% off designer brands. The site looked professional. I ordered $200 worth of clothes. After 3 weeks, nothing arrived. I tried to contact them — no response. The site disappeared. My credit card company refunded me, thankfully."
— BBB Scam Tracker

How to Protect Yourself

Research the store before buying — search "[store name] reviews" or "scam"
Check WHOIS for domain age — scam sites are usually new
Look for a real physical address and phone number
Use a credit card for better fraud protection
Be wary of ads on social media with huge discounts
Check if the URL exactly matches known brands
Read reviews on external sites, not just on the store

What To Do If You're a Victim

1Dispute the charge with your credit card company
2Report to FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
3Report the site to Google Safe Browsing
4Report to the social media platform where you saw the ad
5Leave warnings in reviews and scam databases
6If you provided personal info, monitor your credit

Report This Scam

FTC Report Fraud FBI IC3 Identity Theft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fake Online Store?

What are the warning signs of Fake Online Store?

Prices too good to be true (70-90% off). Recently created website (check WHOIS). Poor grammar and spelling. No physical address or phone number. Only accepts unusual payment methods.

How do I protect myself from Fake Online Store?

Research the store before buying — search "[store name] reviews" or "scam". Check WHOIS for domain age — scam sites are usually new. Look for a real physical address and phone number. Use a credit card for better fraud protection.

What should I do if I'm a victim of Fake Online Store?

Dispute the charge with your credit card company. Report to FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Report the site to Google Safe Browsing. Report to the social media platform where you saw the ad.

How serious is this threat?

We rate this a real but moderate risk. Reported losses: $770 million (FTC 2024). Most exposed: Online shoppers, bargain hunters.

Can I get my money back?

Recovery depends on how you paid. Credit card payments may be reversed through chargebacks, while wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.

How do I report Fake Online Store?

Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For internet crimes, file with the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. For identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. You should also contact your local police and your bank.

Sources & References

Related Scams

Marketplace Scam

On Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and the like, the scam runs both ways — fake listings that take a deposit, buyers who "overpay" with bad checks, counterfeit goods, and a push to move off-platform. Keep it in person, in cash or platform-protected payment, and treat any nudge toward Zelle or gift cards as a stop sign.

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