Online shopping has become a daily habit for millions of people. From clothing to gadgets, food to furniture, everything is just a click away. But with this boom in e-commerce, more and more fake online stores have appeared, seeking to deceive unsuspecting users.
Being a victim of a fraudulent online store Not only does it mean losing money, but it also puts your personal and financial data at risk. In this article, we'll give you a practical, simple, and comprehensive guide based on the advice of experts and official organizations, so you can learn to spot a fake online store before it's too late.
Why are there so many fake online stores?
With the unstoppable rise of online shopping, cybercriminals have found a fast track to making money. Creating a fake online store is relatively easy: all you need is a website with an attractive design, products at unbelievable prices, and a form to steal your information or trick you into paying for something you'll never receive.
Many consumers do not have the training or tools necessary to detect these frauds., making this type of scam a very lucrative trap for digital criminals. Hundreds of these sites are active every day, and while many are shut down, new ones are popping up with different names and more sophisticated tactics.
Signs that an online store could be fake
You don't need to be a digital security expert to protect yourself. If you get into the habit of checking certain aspects before purchasing, you'll drastically reduce your risk. Here are the main indicators that can warn you that you're facing a fraudulent online store:
1. Prices too low
If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.It's one of the oldest tricks, but it still works: showing off brand-name items at ridiculously low prices to grab attention. If you see, for example, €150 sneakers for just €30, it's important to be wary.
It's not uncommon for these websites to list all their products at the same price, which in itself is striking and unrealistic. They may even list discontinued or hard-to-find products, as if there were plenty of stock and immediate shipping.
2. Incomplete or inconsistent legal information
A genuine store should display its identity: business name, tax identification number (NIF) or tax identification number (CIF), address, contact email address, terms of sale, returns, and privacy policy. The absence or poor writing of this data is a red flag..
Some fake stores copy legal text from other websites, and this can give them away if the content refers to products they don't sell or to foreign regulations. It's also suspicious if the postal address doesn't exist or if the contact email doesn't match the domain (for example, if it's a generic Gmail).
3. Sloppy design and translation errors
Fake stores often look less professional.Although some websites mimic real websites very well, many have flaws that you can easily spot:
- Texts full of spelling or grammatical errors.
- Meaningless machine translations.
- Pixelated images or images with poorly edited logos.
- Inconsistent design with multiple fonts.
- Absence of usual sections: who we are, legal notice, contact, etc.
If something is visually jarring or the content is inconsistent, it's best to get out of there.
4. Insecure page without HTTPS
This is a key technical aspect: Never enter personal or banking information if the website does not use HTTPSYou can easily check this in your browser's address bar: it should start with "https://" and display a padlock.
A site without an SSL certificate doesn't encrypt the information you send, allowing others to intercept it. Furthermore, many fraudulent sites don't even try to hide this and continue to operate in "http," which is a clear red flag.
5. False or non-existent opinions
Checking reviews is one of the most effective ways to know if a store is trustworthy. If you don't find any reviews about that store, or they are all excessively good, be suspicious..
In many cases, fake stores don't have a presence on Google or social media, or they create fake generic reviews on their own pages to appear legitimate. They may also use Instagram or Facebook profiles with stolen images and few posts.
Search for the store's name by adding "scam," "reviews," or "fraud" and see what comes up. Platforms like Trustpilot or Scamadviser can give you reliable leads.
6. Suspicious payment methods
A legitimate store will allow you to pay with secure methods such as credit cards, PayPal, Bizum, or bank transfers to recognized entities. If the only option is a transfer without intermediaries or Western Union, better run away..
You should also be suspicious if you're redirected to unfamiliar payment processors, or if you're entering your bank details on an unsecured platform. In these cases, it's always advisable to use a virtual or single-use card.
7. Lack of social networks or fake profiles
Nowadays, most online stores have a presence on social media not only to promote themselves but also to build trust. A store without social media, or with inactive profiles, is a cause for distrust..
Check if they have real accounts with legitimate followers, real comments, and posts consistent with their products. If everything seems artificial or newly created, that's another red flag.
8. Nonexistent or confusing return policies
A legitimate store is required to offer a clear return policy. If there is no information about returns, exchanges, or refunds, or it is worded very vaguely, it is probably a scam..
Keep in mind that the terms, conditions, and process for returning products should be easily accessible. If everything is confusing or you're asked to pay additional costs without justification, be suspicious.
9. Tools to check if a store is fraudulent
In addition to your intuition and the tips above, you can use tools to help you identify potential online fraud:
- Scamadviser: evaluates the reputation of a website based on technical data and opinions.
- Fakeinet: alerts about potential fraudulent stores based on human reports.
- Google Safe Browsing: integrated into Chrome, warns if a site is dangerous.
- Web of Trust (WOT): shows trust scores made by other users.
- HTTPS Everywhere: extension to always browse secure versions.
10. What to do if you have already purchased from a fake store?
If you've unfortunately placed an order with a fraudulent store, the first thing to do is contact your bank or payment institution to block the transaction or request a refund. Acting quickly is key to having a chance of getting your money back..
Next, change your passwords if you provided personal information, check your bank accounts for suspicious activity, and perform a full scan of your computer in case you downloaded malware. Don't forget to report the store to official institutions or websites like the Internet Security Office (OSI).
Also, share your experience on forums or social media to help other consumers and prevent them from falling into the same trap.
Protecting yourself from fake online stores isn't as difficult as it seems. With a little attention, common sense, and basic tools, you can easily spot signs that a website isn't trustworthy. Remember that No bargain is worth more than your digital security or your moneyBefore you click "buy," take a few minutes to review the details behind it, because a quick decision can be very expensive.