What Are the Signs of a Fake Online Bag Shop?

Search the shop’s name with words like “scam” or “fraud”, check what others have said, and pay by credit card so that you can dispute the charge. The FTC says scammers often pose as real companies, or make up fake ones, and post fake ads on social media.

What the FTC says

• Scammers often pose as real companies online, or make up fake companies, to get your money or personal information.
• They may post fake ads on social media or other websites, and even use a real company’s logo.
• Then they take your money and do not send what you ordered.
• Before you buy, search online for the company’s name with words like “scam” or “fraud”.
• Pay by credit card. If you are charged twice, billed for something you never got, or sent a wrong or damaged item, you can dispute the charge.
• If expensive brand-name items are offered for bargain prices, they could be counterfeit or stolen.

A short checklist

1. Search the shop name plus “scam”, “fraud” or “complaint”.
2. Look for contact details and a return policy.
3. Compare the price with other sellers of the same bag.
4. Screenshot the ad and the page.
5. Pay by credit card, not by transfer or gift card.

Why a low price is the lure

The FTC says that if expensive brand-name items are offered for bargain prices, they could be counterfeit or stolen. A price that is a long way under every other seller’s price for the same bag is the lure that makes people skip the checks. If it looks too good, take that as a prompt to do more checking, not less.

Where this answer stops

These checks cut the risk but do not remove it, since scammers copy honest shops. If you have paid and not received the bag, contact your card issuer and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.