That “amazing deal” on social media might cost you more than money; it could cost you your identity. Here’s how to shop smart and avoid getting scammed.
Why This Matters Right Now
Online scammers are getting more sophisticated, especially during shopping seasons when we’re all hunting for deals. They create fake websites that look nearly identical to real retailers, impersonate legitimate companies on social media, and craft emails so convincing that even tech-savvy people fall for them. The good news? Once you know what to look for, scams become much easier to spot.
The Red Flags That Scream “Scam”
1. Prices That Are Too Good to Be True
If a brand-name product is being advertised at 70-90% off when everywhere else is selling it at full price, stop and investigate. Scammers use unrealistic discounts to create urgency and bypass your better judgment.
What to do: Search for the same product on the official retailer’s website and other trusted sites. If the price difference is dramatic and unexplained, it’s likely a scam.
2. The Website URL Looks “Almost Right”
Scammers create URLs like “amaz0n-deals.com” or “walmart-discount.shop” that look legitimate at first glance but aren’t the real company websites.
What to do: Before clicking any link, hover over it to see the actual URL. Look for misspellings, extra words, unusual domain extensions (.shop, .xyz instead of .com), or hyphens where they shouldn’t be.
3. No “HTTPS” or Lock Symbol
When you’re on a checkout page, look at the URL bar. Legitimate shopping sites show “https://” at the beginning with a padlock icon. The “s” stands for “secure.”
What to do: Never enter payment information on a site that only shows “http://” without the “s” and lock symbol. This means your data isn’t encrypted.
4. Poor Grammar and Spelling Errors
Professional retailers invest in quality web content. Multiple typos, awkward phrasing, or obvious grammatical mistakes are major warning signs.
What to do: Read the website’s “About Us” page and product descriptions carefully. Legitimate companies maintain professional standards in their writing.
5. Pressure to Pay with Gift Cards, Wire Transfers, or Cryptocurrency
No legitimate retailer will ever insist you pay only through gift cards, wire transfers (Western Union, MoneyGram), or cryptocurrency. These payment methods are favorites of scammers because they’re nearly impossible to reverse.
What to do: If a seller demands these payment methods, walk away immediately. Legitimate businesses accept credit cards, debit cards, and standard payment platforms like PayPal.
6. The Seller’s Identity Is Unclear
That social media ad might show a famous brand name, but who’s actually selling the product? Scammers often impersonate legitimate companies while hiding their true identity.
What to do: Look for the actual seller’s name (it might be in fine print or buried in the ad). Search that company name plus “scam,” “complaint,” or “review” to see what others are saying.
7. Suspicious Emails and Links
Scam emails often look remarkably similar to legitimate ones from well-known retailers. They might claim there’s a problem with your order or offer an exclusive deal.
What to do: Don’t click links in unsolicited emails. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website by typing the URL yourself. Avoid opening attachments described as “coupons” or “rebates,” as they could contain malware.
Smart Shopping Habits That Protect You
Use Credit Cards for Online Purchases
Credit cards offer the best fraud protection. If something goes wrong, you can dispute the charge. Debit cards pull money directly from your account and are harder to recover.
Research the Company First
Before buying from an unfamiliar seller, spend five minutes researching them. Check reviews on multiple platforms, look for a physical address and phone number, and see how long they’ve been in business.
Avoid Public WiFi for Shopping
Free WiFi at coffee shops, airports, and hotels isn’t secure. Scammers can intercept your information when you shop or access financial accounts on public networks.
Better approach: Use your phone’s cellular data or wait until you’re on a secure, password-protected home network.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Many shopping accounts and payment apps offer two-factor authentication, which requires both your password and a second form of verification (like a code sent to your phone). This makes it much harder for scammers to access your accounts even if they steal your password.
Monitor Your Accounts Regularly
Check your credit card and bank statements at least weekly. Sign up for transaction alerts so you’re notified immediately about purchases or account changes.
What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed
If you already paid:
- Credit/debit card: Contact your card issuer immediately and report it as fraudulent
- Bank transfer: Call your bank and ask them to reverse the unauthorized transaction
- Gift card: Contact the gift card company and report the scam
- Wire transfer: Contact the wire transfer company right away (Western Union: 1-800-448-1492, MoneyGram: 1-800-926-9400)
- Cryptocurrency: Contact the platform you used, though cryptocurrency transactions are rarely reversible
If you shared personal information:
- Change your passwords immediately on all affected accounts
- If you gave your Social Security number, visit IdentityTheft.gov for next steps
- Monitor your credit reports for unauthorized activity
Always report the scam: Visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov to report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps authorities track scam patterns and protect others.
The Bottom Line
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, the price seems unbelievable, the website looks strange, or you’re being pressured to act quickly, take a step back. Legitimate deals will still be there after you’ve done your research. Your financial security is worth those extra few minutes of investigation.
Remember: Scammers count on you acting impulsively. Slow down, verify, and protect yourself.
In another related article, Turn Your Daily Routine Into Cash: 8 Apps That Actually Pay You
