7 Red Flags to Identify Online Shopping Scams
Online shopping is easy and tempting—but are you sure you're buying from a legit seller? With online shopping scams on the rise, here are 7 red flags to watch out for before you click “checkout."
By:
The Good Home Daily
Posted on May 5, 2025
When was the last time you bought products online? Was it a month ago, a week ago, or are you just waiting for a delivery right now? But we get it! The convenience, the discounts, and those multiple vouchers that can be used all at once are sweet deals that aren’t easy to resist. But, how sure are you that you’re dealing with a legitimate online seller?
Data from Statista revealed that the percentage of consumers who suffered financial losses due to online shopping scams surged to 82.6% in 2023. Interestingly, this is a huge jump from 74% the previous year.
What’s more alarming is that this figure is just the tip of the iceberg, as numerous cases remain unreported.
We may not be able to grasp the exact number, but one thing is for sure: the strategies of fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated. So, to help you protect yourself against this threat, we’re compiling the 7 warning signs you’re dealing with a scammer.
Are Filipinos Easy Prey for Online Shopping Scams: Let’s Talk Numbers
Filipinos are increasingly afraid of online shopping scams.
This is according to the 2023 TransUnion Consumer Pulse Q4 report, which found that 93% of Filipino consumers were extremely, very, or moderately concerned about falling victim to online shopping fraud during the holiday season.
Well, we have every reason to be concerned. According to a report, Filipinos have lost at least ₱155.20 million to scammers in the first eight months of 2023 alone.
In fact, a recent survey by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) found that the Philippines has the highest rate of online shopping scams among 11 economies in Asia, with a rate of 35.9%.
What’s more alarming is that Filipino consumers are not the only ones affected anymore. In recent years, e-commerce businesses have also become the targets of various scam artists and fraudsters.
The heartbreaking part is that a prominent news organization has even labeled the country as “Asia’s worst for online sales scams”, citing Filipinos’ lack of digital literacy and cybercrime awareness makes us vulnerable to online fraud.
7 Signs You’re Dealing with Scammers
Scammers’ tactics have continued to evolve over the years, which is why staying a step ahead is key to protecting yourself. Here are a few signs to help you spot online shopping scams.
1. Prices Are Unbelievably Low
Here’s the rule of thumb when shopping online: if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Be cautious when you come across deals or prices that are unusually low. “Chances are, it’s a scammer trying to get your attention, or the items being sold are fakes. If you fall for this trick, you’re at risk of becoming a victim of an online shopping scam.
2. Spelling Errors in the URL
Creating a fake online store has become alarmingly easy. These days, anyone can buy a domain, design a website, and start selling products that don’t exist.
To appear legitimate, scammers steal logos, product images, and descriptions from real companies. In fact, they often copy the entire branding style—from the color palette to buttons and page layout.
These fake websites can be incredibly dangerous. Scammers can use them to trick you into buying non-existent products, share sensitive information like credit card details, or even download malware onto your device.
Because these sites often look strikingly similar to the real ones, it’s easy to get fooled into giving away your information.
Now, one of the most effective ways to spot fake websites is to scrutinize the URL. Remember, no two legitimate sites will have exactly the same URL.
Look for subtle discrepancies in the address bar. Scammers might add extra letters to the brand name (like “brandnname.com”), forget the dot after the “www,” or use a non-standard domain extension like “.bargain” instead of “.com.”
If you pay close attention to the URL, you can spot discrepancies, avoid potential scams, and protect yourself from online shopping fraud.
3. Sites that Start with HTTP Only
Let’s continue scrutinizing URLs to spot online scams. Another red flag to watch out for is websites that start with HTTP instead of HTTPS.
In a nutshell, HTTP is the basic protocol for viewing the web. HTTPS, on the other hand, is the secure version that uses TLS (also known as SSL) to encrypt and authenticate data.
This means that websites using HTTP are vulnerable to eavesdropping. So, stay away from these websites. If a website does not prioritize security, it could be a red flag that the owner is a scammer.
Keep in mind that while HTTPS has become the standard for most websites today, it does not guarantee safety on its own. Online scammers can bypass security measures and create HTTPS websites that are still fraudulent.
4. A Suspiciously New Website
For starters, not all new websites are online shopping scams. After all, some legitimate companies are just starting out online.
However, if you’re familiar with a brand that’s been established online for a while and suddenly encounter a website with a significantly shorter lifespan (weeks old instead of years), that’s a red flag.
Let us give you an example. Say you landed on a site for some reason named “nikeishoes.com” (made-up domain) even though you meant “nike.com”. The official website of Nike has been around for more than 29 years (as of this writing). If “nikeishoes.com” is only a few months old, that’s a potential sign of a fake site designed to trick you.
There are many reliable domain age checkers online that you can use, such as those from Small SEO Tools and duplichecker.com. Our other favorite tool is Google’s transparent report, which can verify the safety of the page’s content.
5. Vague Details About Products and the Website
Another way to identify fake online shopping sites is to check for important pages about the company and its services.
This may include the About page, Return Policy, Contact Information, and even the FAQ page. If none of these pages are available on the site, then it’s a red flag.
Pay close attention to the product pages. Fake websites often use vague or exaggerated descriptions. For example, a product might be claimed to be an “antique” without providing any supporting evidence. Or a product might be described as ‘durable’ without specifying the features and materials used.
If you encounter vague or inconsistent information on these pages, it’s a clear sign that something isn’t right.
6. Questionable Payment Methods
Beware of unusual payment methods. Scammers often request payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. These methods make it difficult, if not impossible, to recover your funds if you get scammed.
Another red flag is a strong push for immediate payment without offering cash-on-delivery options. This can be a sign that the seller is trying to avoid scrutiny and facilitate a quick scam.
Furthermore, be cautious if you’re asked to send money to a friend or relative. This is a common tactic scammers use to hide their identity.
7. Pressure Tactics
This usually happens on social media, where you have to communicate directly with the seller to place an order.
When dealing with sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Instagram, be especially cautious of pressure tactics and excessive personal information sharing.
Scammers may urge you to buy immediately, claiming limited availability or special deals. They might also try to build a personal connection by sharing seemingly personal details about themselves.
Don’t fall for this nasty trick. More often than not, the details they share are not entirely true. It’s just their way to gain your trust and lower your guard.
Be extra cautious if they ask for personal information such as your age, birthdate, employment details, or educational background. They may use this info for some fraudulent activity.
Protect Yourself from Online Shopping Scams
Remember, not everything you see online is true. Be suspicious of deals that seem too good to be true. Unbelievably low prices are often a red flag for scams.
Regardless of the transaction, never give out sensitive information like your bank account number, PIN, or one-time access code.
Our final tip: Go slow! Scammers often pressure you to act quickly, but don’t fall for it. Always do your research and perform a background check. If something feels off, trust your gut and walk away.
