12 Signs That Shopping Site Is Fake—and About to Steal Your Money
Updated: Apr. 29, 2022A new report from Experian, the consumer credit reporting agency, reveals that online shopping fraud is on the rise—with a 30 percent increase from 2016 to 2017 alone! Here's how to spot the frauds.
A foreign IP address
We’re not saying that websites with foreign IP addresses (the unique set of numbers used to identify an individual device that connects to the Internet) are always frauds, but transactions originating from a foreign Internet Protocol (IP) address are about seven times riskier than average, according to Experian. (Here’s how to find a website’s IP address.) Websites based in China and Venezuela are the riskiest to shop from, according to Experian. These are the online scams you need to know about—and how to avoid them.
These are 21 little-known Amazon hacks every online shopper should know.
The domain name doesn’t add up
Experian recommends taking a good look at the domain name to see if it is actually what you think it is, or if it varies ever so slightly (or even significantly) from what you’re expecting. For example, if you’re shopping for Pandora jewelry, it’s possible you might land on the URL Pandorapick.com, which sells imitation Pandora jewelry, reports the Better Business Bureau. Some tip-offs that it’s a fake site are bad grammar in the website’s copy and there’s no encryption at the point of purchase to keep your credit card info safe. (FYI, the real website is Pandora.net.) Here’s how to protect yourself online to avoid being scammed.
The URL is missing the “S” in “HTTPS”
Before making a purchase on an e-commerce site, make sure that the URL starts with “HTTPS”, not “HTTP.” That all important “S” stands for “secure,” according to Experian, and it means that all communications between your browser and the website are encrypted… as they should be to protect your information. Don’t miss these 23 tips to help you prevent identity theft.
If the site asks for financial info while you’re browsing
If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for your financial information while you’re browsing, don’t reply or follow the link, warns the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In fact, if it does happen, close out the window by clicking the “X” on your nav bar immediately; legitimate companies never ask for information that way, says the FTC.
Red-flag words
When deciding whether to buy something online, be sure to read the seller’s description of the product closely, especially the fine print, advises the FTC. Words like “refurbished,” “vintage,” or “close-out” may indicate that the product is in less-than-mint condition. Find out if you may have been a victim of this huge email scam—711 million people were.
If it seems too good to be true
You know the old adage, if it seems too good to be true, it is; or, at the very least, you should be very careful, advises Experian. If the price of an item you’re shopping for is much lower than what you’ve seen it going for on other sites, it may be a sign you’re being scammed or the item is counterfeit. This surprising place is a favorite of scammers.
Nonexistent return policy
If the refund policy is sketchy, vague, or in any way convoluted, close that window immediately. If you can’t return the item you’re buying for a full refund if you’re not satisfied, consider skipping it, advises the FTC. Find out the 14 stores with the absolute best return policies.
Nonexistent contact info
Anyone with a computer and Internet access can set up shop online under almost any name, which is why it’s important to confirm the online seller’s physical address and phone number in case you have questions or problems, reminds the FTC. Start by looking for a contact page; if there is none, it’s a red flag. Beware these sneaky deals that are secretly money scams looking to separate you from your hard-earned cash.
A confusing or nonexistent privacy policy
While you should be prepared that you’re giving up some semblance of privacy just by logging into the Internet, you can also get an idea of what kind of personal information any website you’re using is collecting, as well as why and how they’re going to use the information, advises the FTC. If you can’t find a policy—or can’t understand it–consider taking your business to elsewhere. Your online privacy could be at risk if you’re using any of these websites.
Weird Google search results
When you’re sussing out a site’s legitimacy, try googling. “Google the site and owner to check what the search results say. You can also visit Google’s Transparency Report to find out the safety rating,” suggests Experian. Ever wonder how Google actually works? Wonder no more…because we break it down.
Bad reviews or reviews that don’t make sense
“Find reviews of the site or the owner of the business to learn what others have said about them,” advises Experian. Bad reviews? That’s all you need to know, isn’t it? Or, when reviews don’t make sense, such as reviews for a light bulb when you’re buying a phone charger? Consider yourself warned. Speaking of reviews, here is one online shopping mistake you need to stop making right this very minute.
No option to pay with a credit card
This might seem like a no-brainer if you’re someone who always shops online with a credit card. Paying by credit card means your transaction is protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act, under which you can dispute charges and temporarily withhold payment while the seller is being investigated. If you send cash or a money order or have the purchase price deducted directly from your bank, you don’t get these protections.
Don’t overshare
It’s not just the websites that you log onto that can cause you problems; if you overshare on social media, you may be giving away exactly the information an online scammer needs in order to access your credit card information (for example, your mother’s maiden name). You can also be more vulnerable to online scamming if you’re not making use of Multi-Factor Authentication when logging in on your mobile device. Finally, the FTC suggests that you consider disabling cookies as much as possible when you’re using the internet. Shore up your online safety by never posting these 11 things on social media.
If you suspect fraud…
If you suspect online fraud, call your bank or credit card company immediately to alert them, Experian advises. You can cancel a credit card, change your password, or put a hold on your account. If your bank account numbers were caught up in a breach, close that account and open a new one. You can also contact:
- the FTC
- your state Attorney General, using the contact information at the National Association of Attorney Generals.
- your county or state consumer protection agency (check the blue pages of the phone book under county and state government, or visit consumeraction.gov and look under “Where to File a Complaint.”)
- the Better Business Bureau
Read on to find out the 17 everyday things that can be hacked and these are 16 signs you’re about to get hacked.
