Before buying from an unfamiliar store, check who is selling, verify the web address and terms, look for reviews away from the store, and understand how you will pay. No single signal can certify that a purchase will go smoothly. If you cannot identify the seller or resolve important contradictions, pause before paying.
1. Find out who you would be buying from
Look for the seller's name, contact details, shipping terms, and return policy. Compare those details across the legal notice, terms, and checkout page. An anonymous form does not tell you who will respond if an order never arrives.
If the site claims to represent a known brand, verify its domain independently. The FTC recommends checking the seller and its terms before you buy. See the FTC's online shopping checklist.
2. Know what HTTPS does and does not tell you
HTTPS encrypts the connection to the website you are visiting. It does not prove the seller is honest or that an order will be shipped. A fraudulent site can use it too. As the FTC explains, the “s” means the connection is encrypted, not that the site is legitimate.
So “it has a padlock” should not end your checks. And if your browser warns about a security problem, do not ignore the warning just to get a deal.
3. Check reviews and prices elsewhere
Search for the seller's name and exact domain with words such as “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” Read experiences about delivery and customer service, not just the average star rating; reviews can be fake or misleading.
Compare the price with several retailers. A steep discount deserves a closer look, but it does not prove a scam by itself.
4. Review payment before entering details
If an unfamiliar store accepts only a wire transfer or money transfer, stop and reconsider. If it offers a card or another payment provider, read that provider's terms and find out what protections apply. Seeing a payment logo does not guarantee the order will be fulfilled.
In the US, the FTC says credit cards have legal protections and advises shoppers to contact their card issuer to dispute a charge when there is a problem. What you can do depends on the payment method, issuer, deadlines, and circumstances; requesting a dispute does not guarantee a refund. Read the FTC's guide to credit cards and disputes. Rules and processes differ by country.
A fictional example: an offer to put on hold
An unfamiliar store lists a coffee maker for $79; you have seen it elsewhere for about $299. The site looks professional. Before buying, you find these details:
- The connection uses HTTPS.
- You have checked how the connection is protected, not the seller's identity or conduct.
- The return policy names a different store.
- There is a contradiction the site has not explained. You do not know which terms would apply to your order.
- The only reviews are on the store's own site.
- You do not have an independent source confirming those experiences.
- Checkout offers only a wire transfer.
- You may have fewer ways to challenge the payment than with some other methods.
The discount alone does not prove fraud, but these unanswered questions are reason enough not to pay until they are resolved.
If you have already ordered and are concerned
Save the order confirmation, exact web address, advertised terms, and payment record. If the problem is delivery, contact the seller in writing and then ask your payment provider what options may apply. If you suspect you gave banking details to a fraudulent site, contact your bank promptly using an official channel.
Be wary of follow-up messages demanding another payment to “release” the order. You can use the same routine for checking a message without following its link.
Official guidance checked September 25, 2026. The store and prices in this example are fictional and do not describe a real retailer.