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In the digital age, the convenience of online shopping has made it a preferred choice for many. However, its popularity also makes it a prime target for scamming activities. Awareness of certain red flags can help consumers in identifying potentially fraudulent shopping sites.


Unrealistically low prices or free products: Discounts exceeding 70-80% on sought-after brands or products should raise suspicions. Such deals may result in non-delivery, or the products could turn out to be defective, expired, of lesser quality or counterfeit. Following the common wisdom, if it seems too good to be true, it likely is.

Illegitimate website appearance: Warning signs of a dubious website include poor design, spelling mistakes, broken hyperlinks, lack of credible reviews, missing information etc. The absence of detailed contact, about us, or policy pages often signals a scam site.

Recently registered websites: By examining the registration date of the website domain, one can assess its authenticity. A domain registered recently suggests potential fraud, as scammers frequently change websites after a short operation period.

URL spelling errors: Minor typos in the URL or misleading domain names, such as adding an extra letter (for ex., outdoordealss with an extra ‘s’) or using less usual TLDs (for ex., .discount, .deal), indicate potential fraud.

Non-private connections: The absence of HTTPS indicates that the site does not encrypt data, posing a risk to personal and payment information.

Unconventional payment methods: Requests for payment via wire transfers, money orders, gift cards, peer-to-peer payment apps or cryptocurrencies are less usual for legitimate shopping sites.

Pressure tactics: Creating a false sense of urgency with countdown timers, limited stock alerts, or phrases like ‘only today’ can push hurried decisions. Although some legitimate campaigns use these methods, they can also indicate scams.


When encountering these warning signs, it is prudent to proceed with caution. Trusting instincts, using payment methods with fraud protection, and reporting suspicious offers to brand owners are effective strategies for safeguarding against online shopping scams. The digital marketplace offers vast opportunities, but vigilance ensures a secure and positive shopping experience.