Spot a fake shop – the 7 most important warning signs
Before you pay in an unfamiliar online shop: go through these seven points. If two or more apply, you should not order.
The 7 most important warning signs
The more of these signs apply to a shop, the higher the fraud risk – two or three are already a clear warning.
Unrealistic prices
Branded goods at a 70–80% discount practically never exist. Compare the price against at least two well-known retailers.
Advance payment as the only option
If PayPal, credit card or invoice payment are missing – or disappear only at the final checkout step "for technical reasons" – that is one of the strongest warning signs of all.
Missing or false imprint
No imprint, no real address, or no trade register / VAT ID number: additionally verify the address using a mapping service.
No SSL certificate
If the padlock icon is missing from the address bar, the connection is unencrypted – a clear warning sign. Conversely: an SSL padlock alone does not make a shop trustworthy.
Very young domain
If the domain has only existed for a few weeks, caution is advised. You can check this for free with a WHOIS lookup (e.g. lookup.icann.org, or denic.de for .de domains).
Fake trust seals
A genuine seal from Trusted Shops, TÜV or EHI is clickable and leads to the certificate page. If the seal does not respond to clicks, it is just an image – and worthless.
Artificial pressure through countdowns & scarcity
"Today only", countdown timers and "only 2 left in stock" are meant to push you into a rushed, ill-considered payment.
Unsure about a specific shop?
Our fake-shop check automatically examines the legal notice, domain, SSL and other signals – free and without registration.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to spot a fake shop?
By the combination of advance payment as the only payment method, unrealistically low prices, and a missing or incomplete imprint. If two or more warning signs apply, you should not place an order.
Is an SSL padlock enough proof of security?
No. The padlock only indicates an encrypted connection. Fake shops also use free SSL certificates – it does not replace checking the imprint, payment methods and reviews.
What should I do if a shop seems suspicious?
Use an automatic initial assessment with the fake shop check, and additionally go through the warning signs on this page.
Detailed guide with all 11 warning signs, checklist and sources: How to spot fake shops – the complete guide