Online shopping is more convenient than ever, and there are plenty of deals to explore, especially with the holidays approaching. However, scammers and questionable sellers are also looking to take advantage, which means you may not get what you pay for. Watch for these six online shopping red flags as you prepare for holiday purchases.
1. Prices Are Unrealistically Low
Low prices can be appealing, but if they seem too good to be true, they likely are. If a deal looks unbelievable, there’s a good chance it is. Scammers know extremely low prices grab attention, and they often use them to lure shoppers. While major sales do happen, they’re usually tied to events like Black Friday or clearance promotions. Confirm you’re buying from a reputable retailer or research the seller before purchasing an item that seems unusually cheap.
There’s also a chance the item is counterfeit, such as fake electronics or designer apparel. Compare prices with those from trusted retailers, and if a product seems priced far below market value, proceed with caution.
2. A Sense of Urgency Is Conveyed
Illegitimate sellers often try to pressure you into buying by creating urgency. A website banner might claim only a few items remain in stock or that a sale ends in ten minutes. Not all sites using these tactics are scams, but if the site is unfamiliar, be cautious. They may be trying to create panic so you act quickly
without noticing something is wrong. Some even send emails or social media ads claiming a product is about to sell out. Fake order confirmations can also trick consumers into clicking malicious links or sharing payment details.
3. Watch for Spelling Errors
Be cautious if a site has spelling mistakes or poor grammar. Pay close attention to the URL. Scammers often use domains that look similar to well-known brands, hoping users won’t notice.
"It's easy to set up an e-commerce website, and scammers who do so may then pay to advertise their fake online stores," says Louis DeNicola at Experian.* "These websites could use a real company's logo, product images and descriptions. However, if you look closely, you might notice some minor spelling errors in the URL. For example, the website might be wwwbrandname.com—notice there's no period after the www. Or perhaps it's brandnaame.com (an extra 'a') or the site ends in .bargain or .shop instead of .com. Also, look out for sites that start with HTTP rather than HTTPS, which denotes a site is secure and authenticated. The fraudster's end goal could vary depending on the scam. Some scammers might be selling counterfeit or stolen products. Others might try to collect buyers' payment and personal information and then use or sell it."
4. No Contact Info or Return Policy
Legitimate retailers provide ways to contact them and outline return policies for exchanges or refunds. If you can’t find either, it’s best to avoid the site. Even if there’s a vague contact form, it’s suspicious if there’s no phone number or physical address. Anonymity helps scammers disappear after taking your money. Consider this a major warning sign.
5. The Site Isn’t Secure
Check that the site uses HTTPS before entering personal information. A padlock icon should also appear in the address bar.
"Click the padlock and look at the drop-down menu that provides information, such as if the site has a valid certificate like SSL (verifying that the web address
belongs to the company), how many cookies are in use, other site settings, and whether your information is safe when sent to this site," says McAfee.** "The protection is pretty good but not perfect since some cybercriminals have been able to replicate these padlocks or take over legitimate sites that have them. Trust seals, such as the TrustedSite certification, are stamps created by a certificate authority (CA) to confirm the legitimacy of a site. A trust seal tells visitors that they are on a safe site and the company that displays the mark prioritizes cybersecurity. Click on it, and you should be taken to a webpage that verifies the authenticity of the trust seal."
6. Suspicious Payment Methods
Review the payment options. If they seem unusual, that’s a red flag. Reputable retailers typically accept major credit cards and recognized payment gateways like PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay. If the site only accepts wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or peer-to-peer apps like Venmo or Zelle, be cautious. These methods make recovering funds much harder if a scam occurs. Avoid sending money directly to unknown sellers or sharing credit card details through chat.
Online shopping is convenient, but that convenience comes with risks if you stray from familiar, reputable retailers. Plenty of legitimate sellers offer great experiences—just watch for these red flags and shop wisely.
* https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/red-flags-to-look-for-when-shopping-online/
** https://www.mcafee.com/learn/8-ways-to-know-if-online-stores-are-safe-and-legit/