Guide · Shopping scams
Fake online stores: check the shop before you pay
Fake shops copy real brands, advertise huge discounts on social media, and either send nothing or send cheap knock-offs. Many run for a few weeks, then switch to a new domain.
Golden rule
Pay with a credit card or a service with buyer protection. Never pay a new shop by bank transfer, crypto or gift card.
Warning signs
- Prices far below every other retailer.
- A domain registered in the last few weeks or months.
- No real address or phone number, only a contact form.
- Payment by bank transfer, crypto or payment app only.
- Reviews that all appear on the same days, or none outside the site.
What to do
1. Check the shop
Paste the web address into the free GACS checker before paying.
2. Paid already?
Ask your card issuer for a chargeback as soon as possible.
3. Keep evidence
Save the order confirmation, product page and any emails.
4. Report it
Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the platform where you saw the ad.
FAQ
How can I tell if an online store is real?
Check the domain age, look for a real address and phone number, and search the shop name plus 'scam'.
Can I get my money back from a fake shop?
Card payments can often be disputed. Bank transfers and crypto are much harder to reverse.
Why do fake shops advertise on social media?
Ads reach many buyers quickly, and the shop can disappear before complaints build up.
Can GACS recover my money?
No. GACS does not recover money or charge fees.
Check the link, number or email before you respond
Free, no sign-up: compared against 410,000+ scam records.
Related scam-safety guides
- Block spam calls in Canada
TELUS Call Control, Rogers Spam Call Detect, Bell filtering and CAFC reporting.
- Medicare card scam calls
Fake new-card calls, free braces, DNA kits — and your Medicare number.
- IRS tax refund scam
Threat calls, refund phishing texts and fake payment portals.
- Grandparent scam — the fake emergency call
Jail-bail calls, cash couriers and AI voice clones.
