Online shopping: the store that never delivers

HOW IT WORKS A fake shop copies the design of a real brand, advertises huge discounts, takes your payment — and then disappears. Some scammers deliver a cheap counterfeit, others deliver nothing at all. The shop often accepts only bank transfer or crypto, which cannot be reversed. RED FLAGS - Price far below every other store. If it is 70% off, you are probably the product. - Payment only by bank transfer, crypto or gift cards. Real shops accept cards. - A brand-new domain (check whois or use our domain-age tool), no physical address, no working phone. - Social media posts with almost no followers, or ads that use stolen product photos. - Pressure: “only 3 items left”, “offer ends tonight”. WHAT TO DO - Check the company on SCAMEND before paying — search the domain or the store name. - Pay by card, not by transfer or crypto. Cards offer chargeback rights. - Read the shop's terms and returns policy; fake stores rarely have one. - Use a separate card or virtual card for online shopping. REMEMBER Legitimate stores do not ask you to pay by crypto or gift card. If the only payment option is irreversible, walk away.