Avoiding Shopping Scams: How to Spot Fake Discounts, Sites

Editor: Pratik Ghadge on Mar 13,2025

We've all been there. You’re scrolling through your favorite shopping site, and suddenly—bam!—you spot a too-good-to-be-true deal. That high-end smartwatch that normally costs $400? It’s now only $79.99. For a split second, you hesitate. Could this be your lucky day? Or is this just another scam waiting to snatch your credit card info and disappear into the internet abyss?

In an age where online shopping is the norm, scammers are getting craftier by the minute. Fake sales, sketchy websites, and deceptive ads are flooding our screens, making it harder than ever to tell what’s real and what’s a trap. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here are eight essential tips to boost your online shopping safety and help you shop with confidence.

1. The “Too Good to Be True” Test: Trust Your Gut

Look, we all love a good deal. But if a discount makes you say, “Wait… seriously?” then you probably already know the answer.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• A luxury item being sold for 80–90% off retail price
• A brand-new, high-demand product at a price way below market value
• A website or seller that claims they’re the only ones offering this deal

Scammers rely on urgency. They’ll throw in a ticking countdown or phrases like “only 2 left in stock!” to push you into impulse-buy mode. Take a breath. Step back. And ask yourself: Would a legit business really sell this at this price?

2. Check the Website’s Credibility (Before You Click ‘Buy’)

A flashy website doesn’t mean it’s legit. Scammers can build a professional-looking site in hours, complete with fake reviews and stolen images. That’s why it’s crucial to verify the site before handing over your card info.

Quick Ways to Spot a Fake Site:

• Check the URL: Secure sites start with https:// (the “s” stands for secure). If it’s just http://, that’s a red flag.
• Look for typos: If the website is called "NikeOffical.com” or "AmazonDealsOnline.shop,” yeah…no. Big brands don’t make these kinds of spelling errors.
• Check for contact info: A legit site will have a working phone number, email, and physical address. No contact info? Sketchy.

If you’re still unsure, plug the website’s URL into ScamAdviser—it’ll analyze the site and tell you if it’s risky.

3. Be Wary of Social Media Ads That Seem…Off

You’ve seen them: ads for ridiculously cheap designer bags, high-tech gadgets, or trendy shoes that everyone apparently loves. Social media scammers run these ads, get thousands of clicks, then disappear overnight.

How to Spot a Scam Ad:

• Reverse image search: Right-click the product photo and search it on Google. If that exact image pops up on multiple unrelated sites, it’s likely stolen.
• Check comments and reviews: If every comment says “I never received my order!”, take the hint.
• Look at the account age: If the seller’s social media page was created yesterday and has no history? Hard pass.

4. Stick to Trusted Retailers (Especially for Big Purchases)

One of the easiest ways to ensure online shopping safety? Stick to stores you already know and trust.

Safe Shopping Tips:

• Buy directly from official brand websites or well-known marketplaces like Amazon, Best Buy, or Target.
• If you’re trying a new store, search “[store name] reviews” before purchasing.
• Avoid clicking on random pop-up ads that lead to unknown sites—they’re often scam alerts in disguise.

If a new store does catch your interest, do some digging before buying. If the deal is real, it’ll still be there after you verify its legitimacy.

5. Use Secure Payment Methods—Never Pay with Gift Cards

This is where people get trapped. Scammers love tricking shoppers into paying with methods that offer no buyer protection.

Safe vs. Risky Payment Methods:

• Safe: Credit cards, PayPal (buyer protection enabled), Apple Pay, Google Pay
• Risky: Wire transfers, prepaid gift cards, Venmo, Zelle (unless you personally know the seller)

If a website only accepts cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers? That’s your cue to run. Secure payment methods offer fraud protection, so always use them when possible.

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6. Don’t Fall for Fake Reviews (Yes, They’re Everywhere)

We all love reading reviews before buying. But guess what? Many of them are fake.

How to Spot Fake Reviews:

• Check the dates: If a product has hundreds of five-star reviews all from the past two weeks, something’s off.
• Read the wording: If multiple reviews sound eerily similar (“Absolutely perfect product! Best decision ever!!!”), they’re probably bots.
• Look for the “Verified Purchase” tag: It’s harder to fake reviews from actual buyers.

A great tool for this? Fakespot. It analyzes reviews and flags the shady ones.

7. Watch Out for Phishing Emails and Texts

“Your order has been delayed! Click here to track your package.” Ever received a text like that? Scammers send these fake tracking emails and messages hoping you’ll panic-click a malicious link.

Stay Safe from Phishing Scams:

• Never click on links in unsolicited emails—go directly to the retailer’s site instead.
• Check the sender’s email address—scammers use addresses like customer-service@amaz0n.com (notice the zero?).
• If in doubt, call the company directly using their official customer service number.

If an email says you won a contest you don’t even remember entering? It’s probably a scam.

8. Know Your Refund and Return Rights

Legit businesses have clear refund policies. Scam sites? Not so much.

Before you buy, check:

• Return policies: If there’s no return option or a vague “all sales final” clause, think twice.
• Shipping times: If a site claims shipping takes “6-8 weeks,” chances are it’s a drop-shipper sending items straight from overseas.
• Chargeback policies: If a website is super secretive about refunds, that’s a major scam alert.

If you do get scammed, act fast—contact your credit card company to dispute the charge. Most providers offer fraud protection if you report the issue quickly.

How Scammers Use AI to Make Fraudulent Websites More Convincing?

Online scams aren’t what they used to be. In the past, fake websites were full of obvious spelling mistakes, blurry images, and clunky layouts. But now? Thanks to artificial intelligence, scammers can create fraudulent websites that look almost identical to real ones—down to the fonts, logos, and even fake live chat support.

How AI is Powering Online Scams:

• Deepfake product images make it look like brands are selling items that don’t even exist.
• Chatbots posing as customer service reps try to convince shoppers their purchase is legitimate.
• AI-generated fake reviews sound shockingly real and are harder to detect than ever.

To stay safe, always verify a website before making a purchase. If a site seems new or unfamiliar, do a quick search for scam alerts, check their refund policy, and never trust a deal that seems way too good.

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Final Thoughts: Stay Sharp, Shop Smart

Scammers are getting smarter, but so are shoppers. By paying attention to scam alerts, using secure payment methods, and sticking with trusted retailers, you can shop online without falling for fake discounts or shady websites.

Bottom line? If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Take your time, do a little digging, and don’t let urgency push you into a bad decision. Online shopping should be convenient—not a financial risk.

Now go grab those deals—safely.

This content was created by AI