Fake shop check: what to review before you buy
An attractive discount and an HTTPS padlock do not prove that a shop is genuine. Check the seller independently and read the delivery and return terms. ScamsShield can add an explained assessment of possible warning signs in the shop's link.
Three checks before checkout
- Search for independent information about the seller and compare several sources, rather than relying only on reviews shown by the shop.
- Read the contact, delivery and return information before entering payment details.
- Paste the shop address into the homepage checker and review the explanation alongside your own checks.
What to review yourself
HTTPS is only part of the picture
Encryption protects the connection. It does not establish whether a seller is honest.
Seller information
Compare the shop's identity and contact details with information you find independently.
Terms you can understand
Check delivery costs, return conditions and how to contact the seller about a problem.
An explained assessment
Read the reasons in the result. A score cannot guarantee that goods will arrive or match their description.
A link check is one part of a purchase decision
ScamsShield reviews the address you submit and explains possible scam or phishing warning signs. It cannot authenticate a retailer, inspect an item before it ships or guarantee a refund.
Keep a record of the listing and your order if you choose to buy. Do not paste payment information into a scam check.
Frequently asked questions
- Does HTTPS prove that an online shop is legitimate?
- No. HTTPS protects information in transit between your browser and the site, but a fraudulent shop can use HTTPS too. Verify the seller and the purchase terms separately.
- Can ScamsShield guarantee that a shop will deliver?
- No automated assessment proves that a person, message or website is genuine. Scams can be missed and legitimate content can be flagged. Read the explanation and verify important requests through an independently known contact route.
- Is there a free shop-link check?
- Online checks require an account. Create a free account for checks within the displayed limits. The free desktop extension offers separate local checks without an account. Paid website tools and the paid extension plan are separate products; review Pricing for current quotas and terms.
- What if I already paid a shop I now suspect is fake?
- Contact your bank or payment provider promptly, explain what happened and ask about the options available for that payment. Keep the listing, order details and correspondence. The available remedy depends on the payment and circumstances.