Online shopping is fantastic—until you realise that the deal of the century was actually a scam, and your “designer” handbag is just a glorified potato sack. With fake e-commerce sites popping up left and right, how can you tell what’s legit and what’s a trap? Don’t worry! We’ve got your back with these foolproof ways to identify fake e-commerce sites, so you can think twice before you buy!
What should you look for before clicking that checkout button!
Check for a Secure Connection (HTTPS—The “S” Stands for Safe!)
Before you even think about entering your payment details, check the website URL. A legit online store should start with HTTPS (emphasis on the “S” for secure). If it’s missing? Red flag! Scam sites often skip encryption, making it easier for hackers to swoop in and steal your info.
Where’s the Contact Info?
A trustworthy store wants you to reach out if you need help. That means a visible phone number, email, or physical address should be easy to find. If the only way to contact them is a sketchy form that looks like it was made in 1999, proceed with caution. Bonus red flag: If the email address ends in @gmail.com or @yahoo.com instead of a business domain, it’s time to back away.
Reviews—But Not Just Any Reviews!
A website full of glowing 5-star reviews with vague comments like “Amazing product! Love it!” could mean the business is writing its own fan mail. But here’s something many people don’t realise—businesses can filter out negative reviews from their own website. While some filtering is necessary to block spam, offensive content, or copyright violations, it also means a company can cherry-pick only the most flattering feedback.
I recently had a disappointing experience with a Australian retailer. I received a candle in the wrong scent and reached out to their customer service multiple times—only to be completely ignored. Weeks went by with no response. Frustrated, I decided to leave a legitimate, polite but negative review on their website- with the end goal of getting some customer service. The review was never published and I did not receive a reply. Then I noticed something even more concerning—they have no Google reviews and have completely blocked external reviews. Without third-party reviews, how can customers trust they’re getting an honest picture of the business?
This is why checking external review platforms is so important. Websites like Google Reviews, Facebook, and Trustpilot are harder for businesses to manipulate, making them far more reliable than testimonials displayed on a company’s own site. If a business lacks external reviews altogether, consider it a red flag.
Before purchasing, always do a quick search for real customer feedback. If you can’t find it—or if reviews seem suspiciously perfect—proceed with caution. Also leave us a review of your experience with us- We’d love to hear from you!
If the Deal Feels Too Good to Be True… It Probably Is
A brand-new iPhone for $100? A luxury watch for the price of a fast-food meal? Unless you’ve got a long-lost relative showering you with gifts, deals like these are classic scam bait. If something feels too good to be true, trust your instincts—it probably is.
Over the years, we’ve come across countless dodgy websites selling the same products as us, but at ridiculously low “sale” prices. Some of these sites even copy our product listings word for word—right down to including our store name in the title. Seriously? If you’re going to run a scam, at least put in some effort!
Moral of the story? Always double-check the legitimacy of a website before handing over your money. A quick search for reviews, a look at their contact details, and checking if the deals seem realistic can save you from a major headache.
Shoddy Website Design = Big Red Flag
Scam sites often look like they were built during a high school coding project gone wrong. Broken links, awkward layouts, and spelling errors? Huge red flags. If they can’t spell “customer service” correctly, you probably won’t be getting any.
What’s the Return & Refund Policy?
Legit businesses have clear, detailed return policies because they stand by their products. If you have to dig through fine print only to find “All sales final,” that’s your cue to exit.
Trust Seals: Real or Fake?
You’ve probably seen those “Verified by Visa” or “BBB Accredited” badges on websites, but did you know scammers can slap fake trust seals on their pages with zero effort? A quick trick to spot the fakes—click the seal. If it doesn’t take you to a legitimate certification page, it’s likely a phony badge meant to lure you into a false sense of security.
And it gets worse. The latest scam trend? Fake Trustpilot star ratings. Some sketchy websites display a big, bold “5-Star Trustpilot” badge—but here’s the catch: it doesn’t actually link anywhere. I recently came across one of these sites and thought it was odd that the badge wasn’t clickable. So, I did a quick search on Trustpilot’s official site—and wow. The company actually had a 1.4-star rating, flooded with negative reviews!
Bottom line? Don’t trust badges at face value. Always click them to verify, and when in doubt, do your own research on Trustpilot, Google Reviews, or other trusted platforms. Scammers rely on people not double-checking—don’t let them fool you.
Just to show you how easy it is to fake a Trustpilot ratings badge:
A Social Media Presence Speaks Volumes
Most legit businesses have social media, engaging with customers and posting updates. A lack of social media presence or a barely-there profile with stock images and no interaction? Sketchy! Look at their profile- has it been recently created? Have they got ‘mad emoji’ reactions to their posts? Normally a dodgy business can just make a Facebook profile, but they’re unable to delete peoples reactions to posts (they only have control over deleting comments).
Also, another thing to look out for is if a business has disabled their Facebook reviews. This is likely due to not being able to monitor/control negative reviews- which can also be a red flag.
Sneaky Domain Tricks
Scammers love to copy well-known sites but with slight spelling changes (think: “Amaz0n.com” instead of “Amazon.com”). Before making a purchase, double-check the URL—one letter off could mean you’re on a phishing site. Also, if a website URL domain changes when browsing a website, its a bad sign. The domain should always be present, in its original form and it should not have spelling errors/strange brand names.
Trust Your Gut
If something about the site feels… off—whether it’s the too-good-to-be-true pricing, lack of info, or pushy sales tactics—listen to that instinct. A little doubt can save you a lot of money.
Shop Smart, Stay Safe
The internet is filled with amazing shopping deals—but also plenty of traps. By keeping an eye out for these red flags, you’ll be one step ahead of scammers and can shop with confidence. Stay smart, trust your gut, and think twice before you buy!
For more information, including what to do if you receive a scam communication, see AUSTRAC Frauds and Scams page or visit Scamwatch. © AUSTRAC for the Commonwealth of Australia 2019.
