How to spot a fake online shop in 60 seconds
Brand-new domain, 80% off everything, no imprint: the seven signs that give most scam shops away.
Fake shops copy real ones down to the product photos. But they almost always slip up in the same places.
1. The domain is brand new
Most scam shops live for a few weeks. If the domain was registered last month and sells designer goods at half price, walk away. websurely.com shows the domain age on every report.
2. The discounts are too good to be true
70–90% off on everything, permanently, is not a sale — it is bait.
3. No company information
A real shop tells you who runs it: company name, address, registration number. Missing imprint or contact page? Big warning sign.
4. Pressure tactics
Countdown timers that restart on reload, "only 2 left", "14 people are viewing this" — designed to stop you from thinking.
5. Odd payment methods
Bank transfer only, crypto, or gift cards. Pay with methods that offer buyer protection: credit card or PayPal goods & services.
6. Copied or broken text
Placeholder text, other shop names in the footer, terms copied from a different country.
7. No independent reviews
Reviews only on the shop itself mean nothing. Search for the domain name plus "scam" or "review".
Not sure? Paste the address into websurely.com — the check is free.
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. If you have been scammed, contact your bank or payment provider immediately and report it to the police.