How to Spot a Fake Online Shop Before You Buy

Fake online shops can look professional and may copy real retailers' branding. Use several independent checks before paying: a domain's age or HTTPS status alone cannot establish whether a shop is legitimate.

How Fake Shops Are Found

Victims typically find fake shops through social media advertisements, Google Shopping results, or links shared in messages. The ads often promote heavily discounted luxury goods, electronics, or clothing. The sites are built quickly using templates and disappear after a few weeks, only to reappear under a new domain.

The 10-Point Verification Checklist

Check	How to Do It	Red Flag
Domain age	Use a WHOIS tool or ScammersCheck	Registered less than 6 months ago
HTTPS	Look for padlock in browser	No padlock (though scam sites can have HTTPS too)
Contact details	Look for phone number and address	Only an email form, no address
Returns policy	Read it carefully	Vague, missing, or copied from another site
Reviews	Search "[site name] reviews scam"	No reviews, or all 5-star on same date
Social media	Check linked social accounts	New accounts with no real engagement
Payment methods	Check checkout page	Only bank transfer or cryptocurrency
Prices	Compare with other retailers	More than 50% below market price
Company registration	Check Companies House	Company does not exist or was just registered
Threat check	Paste URL into ScammersCheck	Flagged by any threat intelligence source

Safe Payment Methods

Always pay by credit card when shopping online — Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act gives you the right to claim a refund from your credit card provider for purchases between £100 and £30,000 if the goods are not delivered. PayPal also offers buyer protection. Bank transfers offer almost no protection.