Fake Online Store (Counterfeit / Non-Delivery)
A slick-looking store advertises deep discounts, takes your payment, and either never ships, sends counterfeits, or keeps billing your card.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
Scammers set up professional-looking online shops — often advertised on social media — with steep discounts on popular items. After you pay, you receive nothing, get a cheap counterfeit, or find recurring charges on your card. The sites vanish and reappear under new names. Warning signs include only email contact, no real address, and payment methods that offer little protection.
What it usually looks like
- A social ad or DM to a store with prices far below normal.
- A brand-new site with no verifiable history.
- Only an email or web form for contact; no address or phone.
- Reviews that are absent, generic, or clearly fake.
Common warning signs
- Prices too good to be true on hot items.
- No physical address or working phone.
- Pressure countdowns and 'almost sold out' banners.
- Payment pushed to less-protected methods.
Example wording scammers use
“FLASH SALE: 80% off premium boots today only! Limited stock — order now.”
“Thank you for your order! (No tracking or item ever arrives.)”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- Your payment for goods they won't send.
- Your card for recurring charges.
- Your personal details.
What to do
- Research the store's name plus 'scam' before buying.
- Look for a real address, phone, and genuine reviews.
- Pay with a credit card for better dispute rights.
- Be wary of deals promoted through social ads.
What to do if you already responded
- Dispute the charge with your card issuer.
- Watch for and cancel recurring charges.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the platform that ran the ad.