You see an ad for the exact boots you wanted at 70% off. The website looks polished, the photos are beautiful, and there's a countdown timer. It feels like luck.
Fake online stores have become very convincing. Some take your money and ship nothing. Others ship a cheap knockoff. Some just want your card number.
Red flags to check before you buy
Prices that are way too low, especially on popular brands.
A brand-new website. You can search "[site name] reviews" or "[site name] scam" to see what others say.
No real contact information, just a form or a Gmail address.
Strange payment options, like Zelle, Venmo, wire transfer, crypto, or gift cards only.
Reviews only on their own site, all glowing and oddly similar.
Countdown timers and "only 2 left!" pressure. [Link: Why Scammers Create a Sense of Urgency]
Found through a social media ad rather than a store you already know.
Holiday shopping is when a checklist really pays off. The Scam-Check Workbook helps you slow down and check a deal before you hand over your card number.
Safer ways to shop
Pay with a credit card. It gives you the strongest protection if something goes wrong.
Type the store's web address yourself rather than clicking an ad.
If you're unsure, buy from the brand's official site or a retailer you already trust.
If you already ordered
Contact your credit card company and explain what happened. The sooner you do, the better your chance of getting your money back.
For a quick gut-check, run through the full list here. [Link: Does This Feel Off? 10 Signs You Might Be Dealing With a Scam]
Shop smarter this season. The Scam-Check Workbook is available as an instant printable, a spiral-bound edition, or a paperback on Amazon. You'll never find it at a suspicious 70% off.
