Signs of a fake store
- Prices much lower than the market
- Poor design, broken pages, or many typos
- No physical address or working contact details
- Pressure to buy now, limited-time language
- Only accepts bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards
- Reviews look pasted in or photos are copied from other sites
- No refund policy
Signs of a social-media seller scam
- New account with little history or followers
- Goes silent after payment is sent
- Fake influencer endorsements
- Strong time pressure ('only 3 left')
- Refuses secure payment options like PayPal or credit card
If you have paid and not received the goods
- Contact your bank or payment provider and ask about a chargeback.
- Save the ad, the seller's profile, all messages and the transfer record.
- Report the seller to the platform (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Marketplace).
- Report to Scamwatch, ReportCyber, and police if the loss is significant.
Six tips for safer online shopping
- Use sites with HTTPS and a padlock — and check the spelling of the domain carefully.
- Research the seller — reviews, contact details, address.
- Pay with a credit card or PayPal where possible; avoid bank transfer, crypto and gift cards.
- Use a unique password per site and turn on multi-factor authentication.
- Be cautious about 'too good to be true' deals and celebrity-backed promotions.
- Type the website address directly instead of clicking links in emails or social posts.
Counterfeit goods are not just a money problem
Counterfeit medications, supplements, cosmetics, electronics, and chargers may not meet safety standards and can be dangerous. Warranties and consumer protections do not apply, and the fake site may also be harvesting your personal information.