How to check if an online store is legit before you buy

Fake online stores copy real brands, offer big discounts and disappear after taking your money. A few checks can save you from most of them.

1. Look at the domain

Is the address what you expect? Look for extra words, odd endings or hyphens. A shop called “Nike” on nike-outlet-sale.top is not Nike.

2. Check how old the site is

Many fake stores are registered days or weeks before they start advertising. A site claiming to be an established brand but registered last month is a red flag. A Deep Site Scan in LinkGuard shows domain age.

3. Be suspicious of prices that are far too good

A 70 to 90 percent discount on a popular product is rarely real. Scam stores use huge discounts to hurry you.

4. Check for contact details and policies

Look for a real business address, a working email, and clear return and shipping policies. Copy-pasted or missing policies are a warning.

5. Search for reviews outside the site

Search the store name with words like “scam” or “reviews”. Reviews on the store’s own page can be fake. Independent sites and forums are more telling.

6. Look at payment options

Be wary of stores that only accept bank transfer, cryptocurrency or gift cards. Credit cards and reputable payment services give you the chance to dispute a charge.

7. Scan the link

Run the store’s link through a scanner before you enter any details. LinkGuard checks threat databases, TLS, link structure and look-alike tricks, and Deep Site Scan adds domain age, security headers and hosting details.

If you already ordered

• Contact your card issuer and ask about a chargeback if the item does not arrive.
• Keep the order confirmation and screenshots of the site.
• Report the store to your consumer protection agency, and the payment provider.

A quick checklist