Fake online stores and social media ad scams

An ad or website with prices that are too good to be true, from a store you've never heard of.

How it works

Scam stores copy real brands' photos, run ads on social media and offer huge discounts, countdown timers and “only 3 left”. You pay, and get nothing, a cheap knockoff, or a stolen card. Pet scams work the same way: an adorable puppy, a deposit, then surprise fees for shipping and insurance.

AI makes it cheap to create a convincing store, product photos and fake reviews in minutes.

Red flags

• Prices far below everywhere else, especially on popular items.
• A new store with no history, or a web address that's slightly off from a brand you know.
• Payment only by wire, payment app, gift card or crypto.
• Countdown timers and “last chance” pressure.

What it looks like

This ad appears in your social media feed in late November.

The tells:

1. A price far below anywhere else.
2. Scarcity pressure.
3. A countdown timer.
4. A store you've never heard of, on a brand-new kind of address.

A training example written for this site. Names, numbers and links are made up, and links are disabled.

What to do

1. Search the store's name with words like “scam” or “review” before buying.
2. Pay by credit card, which gives you the most protection if something goes wrong.
3. Type a retailer's address yourself instead of clicking an ad.

If you already paid or shared information

1. Contact the company you used to pay (your bank, card company, gift card company, payment app or wire service) right away and ask them to reverse the payment.
2. If you shared a password, change it now and turn on two-factor authentication.
3. If you gave out your Social Security number or other ID details, go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
4. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For scams that happened online, you can also report to the FBI at ic3.gov.

From FTC: What to do if you were scammed.

Latest alerts about this scam

• FTC · Sep 15, 2026
  Scammers are impersonating farm equipment businesses

  The FTC is hearing about a scam targeting some of the hardest working people out there: farmers. Scammers posing as farm equipment businesses are selling (fake) equipment to farmers, who end up empty-handed.

  Fake stores and too-good deals
• FTC · Sep 1, 2026
  Scammers are spoofing car dealership websites: What you need to know

  While the car-buying process can be stressful, whether you’re shopping online or in person, scammers are copying car dealership websites to take buyers’ money.

  Fake stores and too-good deals
• FTC · Aug 10, 2026
  Are ads on social media vetted or checked for scams? Here’s what to know

  You’re browsing your social media feed when an ad grabs your attention mid-swipe: that designer bag you’ve been dreaming of is 50% off for a limited time only!

  Fake stores and too-good deals
• FTC · Jun 24, 2026
  Animal lovers: learn to spot and avoid this breed of pet scams

  Scammers have been taking advantage of how much people love animals. They’ll steal and manipulate pet images, videos, and even use AI-generated deepfakes to help them trick you into giving them your money.

  Fake stores and too-good deals
• FTC · Jun 17, 2026
  How to avoid a travel scam this summer

  If you haven't made your vacation plans yet, you might be looking for a deal. While you look for bargains, scammers are looking for ways to reach you…and your money.

  Fake stores and too-good deals

Sources

• FTC: Online shopping
• FTC: Are ads on social media vetted or checked for scams? Here's what to know
• FTC: Animal lovers: learn to spot and avoid this breed of pet scams

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