Shopping online has become second nature for most of us, especially now that you can find everything under the sun in just a few taps and have it delivered to your doorstep the next day. Cybercriminals are well aware of this and try to exploit our common online shopping habits by creating scam online stores.
Want to know how to spot a fraudulent store and protect yourself when shopping on unfamiliar websites? Then read on!
How to Recognize a Scam?
The idea behind a scammy website is to get it online, convince as many people to give away their personal information, and use it to commit fraud or access other accounts before the scam is discovered.
Cybercriminals who create fraudulent websites are devious but often lazy, relying on shortcuts and predictable tactics to fool people. They often try to replicate already existing online shops and frequently make mistakes along the way. That’s exactly what you should be on the lookout for.
The website looks suspicious
Creating a 1:1 replica of a legitimate online shop takes time and resources that scammers often don’t have, so fake sites are usually poorly made. Images may be low-quality and pixelated, while the content sounds strange or is entirely absent. There’s typically no site map, and elements beyond the fake storefront, shopping cart, and checkout are either sloppy or missing altogether.
Any reputable online store will have a web address that starts with HTTPS and uses SSL encryption to ensure secure communication between the site and visitors. If the address starts with HTTP instead, it’s a huge red flag indicating the connection isn’t secure. Any information you enter on such a website will most likely remain plaintext and easily accessible to hackers.
Importantly, be aware that HTTP and HTTPS sites can have the same name but lead to different destinations. In addition to this, scammers might use an HTTPS address but slightly alter the original store’s name, substituting numbers for letters or including spelling errors.
Unrealistically good deals
Scam sites promise huge savings, particularly during the holiday season when people are less likely to scrutinize deals closely. These websites often advertise lower base prices and offer much steeper discounts than legitimate retailers, claiming these deals are “tailored just for you” and “ending soon.”
In the best-case scenario, you might receive a poorly made knockoff after buying from such shops. However, along with your order, you may also have unknowingly handed over your personal information to questionable parties.
Little to no company information
Legitimate online shops are legally required to provide business details such as a physical address, contact information, privacy and return policies, and terms of service. Fake websites, on the other hand, often list generic contact details that aren’t accurate, simplify policies, and hide essential legal pages. This is because fake websites are usually intended to be temporary, and scammers don’t want to invest much time in these details.
Few and unusual payment methods
The more payment options available, the more legitimate an online store is likely to be. While it might seem counterintuitive, this is actually a great way to spot fake websites.
Fake sites tend to avoid secure payment methods provided by banks and other financial institutions, favoring more easily exploitable options like wire transfers, debit cards, and cryptocurrency. This allows scammers to bypass protections that might otherwise flag suspicious transactions and makes it much easier to evade detection.
No social media presence
Social media has become the primary channel for discovering and purchasing products. Not maintaining a presence on it isn’t only bad for business—it’s become downright suspicious. Some scammers may create profiles and buy fake followers or reviews, but their formulaic posts and lack of engagement with real users are always a bad sign.
How to Avoid It?
Recognizing and avoiding the danger isn’t hard once you know what to look for.
Examine elements like the URL, design quality, and availability of essential information. Look for red flags and ask yourself: does the website offer only a few unusual payment options? Are there genuine customer testimonials? Do social media links exist, and are they active? Are prices significantly lower than official sales on the brand’s legitimate site?
Answering these questions can help you detect red flags. Be careful if any answer is “yes,” as the site may be a scam.
Of course, it could be the case that the shop is legitimate but simply new and hasn’t yet built a customer base. If you choose to make a purchase from such a website, it’s wise to take precautions—better safe than sorry.
Use a secondary or disposable email to sign up to protect your primary inbox, and avoid using passwords you rely on for other platforms. If this may seem too time-consuming, set up a password manager that would generate unique, secure passwords for each account. This way, if the website turns out to be a scam or suffers a data breach, your other accounts remain safe.
Conclusion
Shopping is always fun, but sometimes those innocent purchases can result in your personal data ending up where it shouldn’t. If you’re concerned about privacy and wondering how to remove personal data from Google, it’s best to take proactive steps.
Start by being cautious about the websites you shop from, especially if you’re unsure about their credibility. While the best data removal services can help fix issues, preventing them in the first place is always smarter. Regularly check your online footprint and take steps to remove any sensitive information from Google to stay in control of your privacy.
Cassia Rowley is the mastermind behind advertising at The Bad Pod. She blends creativity with strategy to make sure ads on our site do more than just show up—they spark interest and make connections. Cassia turns simple ad placements into engaging experiences that mesh seamlessly with our content, truly capturing the attention of our audience.