🛍️ Fake Shopping Sites & Marketplaces

Scammers set up professional-looking sites or use marketplaces with fake listings.

Goods never arrive, are counterfeit, or sellers disappear after payment.

🔗 Trusted Resources

FTC — Online Shopping — How to spot fakes, avoid traps, and what to do if you didn’t get your order.
🌐 https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/online-shopping

BBB — Scam Tracker — Search scams by location/category; see patterns and hot spots.
🌐 https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker

USPS Inspection Service — Package & Mail Fraud Tips — Shipping red flags and reporting.
🌐 https://www.uspis.gov/tips-prevention

🧭 Recognizing & Responding Safely

Check the seller. Look for a real address, customer service phone, and consistent reviews across sites.

Pay safely. Prefer credit cards or marketplace-protected payments over wires, crypto, or gift cards.

Beware “too good to be true.” Deep discounts on hot items are a classic lure.

If scammed: Contact your card issuer to dispute, report the seller to the platform, and file with the FTC and BBB.

🧠 Sam’s Takes (Quick Reminders)

No address, no phone, no deal.

Use payment methods with protection.

When in doubt, skip the “deal.”