Guides · Shopping safety
Is this shopping website legit?
Fake stores look different depending on what they sell. Pick the type of shop you're about to buy from for the red flags that matter most. For the general seven-step check, start with how to check if a website is legit.
How to Tell if a Clothing Website Is Legit
How to tell if a clothing website is legit before you pay: domain age, stolen product photos, too-good discounts, returns policies and safe payment methods — plus a free checker.
How to Tell if a Shoe or Sneaker Website Is Legit
How to tell if a shoe or sneaker website is legit: authorised retailer checks, impossible prices on limited releases, domain age, and how to pay safely — plus a free checker.
How to Tell if an Electronics Website Is Legit
How to tell if an electronics website is legit before buying phones, laptops, consoles or GPUs: price checks, domain age, warranty and seller details, and safe payment — plus a free checker.
Related: fake online store scams · puppy and pet sale scams · report a scam website
Authoritative sources
Independent primary sources used to check and corroborate the guidance on this page.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)Official US channel for reporting internet-enabled fraud and cybercrime.
US Federal Trade Commission — ReportFraudConsumer fraud reporting and published enforcement data.
UK Report FraudUK national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
Canadian Anti-Fraud CentreCanada's central repository for fraud reports and scam alerts.