Online shopping safety
How to spot a fake online store
A fraudulent shop rarely reveals itself through one clue. Risk rises when an unclear operator, a recently created domain, unrealistic prices, inconsistent contact details and irreversible payment appear together.
Warning signs
When to stop and verify
- The legal business name, registration number or physical address is missing or difficult to find.
- Prices are far below established sellers and a countdown or low-stock warning creates urgency.
- The store accepts only bank transfer, cryptocurrency or another payment with weak buyer protection.
- The company name, address, email and account details conflict across the website.
- Reviews appear only on the store itself or use repetitive, unusually generic wording.
Safer next steps
What to do before paying
- 1Compare the business name, registration number, address and payment recipient across every page.
- 2Check the domain age and search independently for the exact store name and domain.
- 3Use a payment method with buyer protection and avoid an unexplained bank transfer.
- 4Save the product page, checkout terms and payment instructions before paying.
Evidence for a check
What to submit to VerifyBeforeBuy
HTTPS and a valid company registration do not prove that a shop is genuine. The important question is whether the operator, domain, contacts, payment recipient and offer all belong together.
- Store and product URLs
- Screenshots of the price, checkout and payment options
- Business, VAT, email, phone and account details
- Terms, returns policy and seller messages
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers
Does HTTPS mean an online store is safe?
No. HTTPS protects data in transit, but it does not verify the seller or guarantee delivery.
Is checking the company number enough?
No. Criminals can copy the details of a real business. Compare the domain, contacts and payment recipient with independent official information.