How to Spot Fake Online Stores: 7 Essential Tips for Safe Shopping

Protecting Albertans from scams is challenging. Every day, fraudsters find new ways to take advantage of trusting people. Shop Local Shop Alberta checks the legitimacy of all small businesses, crafters, makers, and artisans. We encourage every shopper to follow the simple steps listed below.

Online shopping offers convenience and variety, but it also opens the door to fake stores that trick shoppers into losing money or personal information. Knowing how to identify these fraudulent sites can protect you from scams and ensure a safe shopping experience. Here are seven practical ways to spot fake online stores before making a purchase.

Example of a suspicious online store webpage

Check URLs Carefully for Typos and Oddities

Fake stores often use URLs that look very similar to legitimate ones but include small typos or extra characters. For example, a site might use "amaz0n.com" instead of "amazon.com" or add unnecessary words like "shop" or "store" in the domain name. Always:

• Look closely at the spelling of the website address.

• Avoid clicking on links from unknown emails or ads.

• Use bookmarks or type the URL directly into your browser.

  
  

If the URL looks strange or unfamiliar, it’s safer to avoid the site.

Look for a Professional Website Design

Legitimate online stores invest in clean, well-organized websites. Fake stores often have poor design, broken links, low-quality images, or inconsistent fonts and colors. Signs of an unprofessional website include:

• Cluttered layout with overlapping text or images.

• Outdated or irrelevant content.

• Missing product details or vague descriptions.

  
  

A polished, easy-to-navigate site is a good sign the store is serious about its business.

Verify Contact Information

Real stores provide clear contact details, including a physical address and phone number. Fake stores may list fake or incomplete information, or none at all. To verify:

• Check if the address exists using Google Maps.

• Call the phone number to see if it connects to a real business.

• Look for an email address that matches the domain name.

  
  

If you cannot verify the contact info, be cautious about buying from the site.

Be Wary of Prices That Are Too Good to Be True

If a store offers brand-new products at prices far below market value, it could be a scam. Fake stores lure buyers with unbelievably low prices to collect payment without delivering goods. Compare prices with reputable retailers and ask yourself:

• Is this price realistic for this product?

• Are there hidden fees or unusual payment methods?

  
  

Trust your instincts. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Search for Independent Reviews on Third-Party Sites

Before buying, look for reviews on websites not affiliated with the store. Genuine customer feedback on platforms like Trustpilot, Sitejabber, or Google Reviews can reveal if others have had problems. Watch out for:

• No reviews or only positive reviews posted on the store’s own site.

• Reviews that seem fake or overly generic.

• Complaints about non-delivery, poor quality, or customer service issues.

  
  

Independent reviews provide valuable insight into a store’s trustworthiness.

Professionalism in Language and Policies

Legitimate stores use clear, correct grammar and spelling throughout their site. They also provide detailed policies on shipping, returns, and privacy. Fake stores often have:

• Poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or awkward phrasing.

• Vague or missing return and refund policies.

• No privacy policy or terms of service.

  
  

Well-written content and transparent policies show the store values customer trust.

Transparency with Contact and Payment Security

A trustworthy store offers secure payment options and is transparent about how it protects your data. Look for:

• HTTPS in the website URL indicating a secure connection.

• Payment methods like credit cards or trusted services such as PayPal.

• Clear information about data protection and customer support.

  
  

Avoid stores that only accept wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or other untraceable payments.