Your rights as a UK shopper
How to Spot a Fake Shopping Website
8 November 2026
To spot a fake shopping website, check the web address carefully, look for a real postal address and terms and conditions, read reviews on other websites, and be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. Pay by credit card where you can, and never pay a shop you don't know by bank transfer.
Quick answer: Fake shopping websites often copy real brands, use look-alike web addresses and offer deals that seem too good to be true. Check the address, look for a street address and terms and conditions, read reviews on other sites, and don't rely on the padlock. Pay by credit card, never by bank transfer.
Key Takeaways
Type a shop's address yourself rather than clicking a link in a message.
A real shop should give a postal address with a street name, not just a PO box.
The padlock in the address bar doesn't prove a shop is genuine.
Read reviews on other websites, not only on the shop's own pages.
Pay by credit card where you can, and never by bank transfer.
Why fake shops are hard to spot
The National Cyber Security Centre warns that it's easy for criminals to copy the design of a real website, including its logos and products. Many use a web address that looks like a genuine one at a glance.
Links to fake shops often arrive in emails, texts and social media posts with offers that seem too good to be true. Citizens Advice gives the same warning: if a deal seems too good to be true, it might be a scam.
Warning signs to check
Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
Web address | A brand's name with small changes or extra words |
Contact details | A postal address with a street name, not just a PO box |
Terms and conditions | Clear terms, including returns and refunds |
Reviews | What people say on other websites, not just the shop's own page |
Payment options | Being asked to pay by bank transfer, vouchers or a money transfer service |
The company | Whether a company it names is registered at Companies House |
Check the web address
If you're unsure about a link you've been sent, don't click it. The NCSC suggests typing the shop's address into your browser yourself if you know it, or searching for the shop and taking time to read the results rather than clicking the first one.
Look at the address in full. A fake might add an extra word to a well-known brand's name, so read it carefully before you enter any details.
Look for the business behind the site
Citizens Advice suggests spending a few minutes checking a site you haven't used before. Start with its terms and conditions. The company's address should have a street name, not just a post office box.
If the site names a limited company, you can look it up for free on GOV.UK to see whether it's registered at Companies House. A registered company isn't proof that a shop is honest, but a missing or mismatched one is a warning sign.
Read reviews in the right places
Look for reviews on different websites, and don't rely on reviews the shop has put on its own site, as Citizens Advice recommends. Look at how recent they are and what people say went wrong.
Don't rely on the padlock in the address bar either. It shows the connection is encrypted, but Citizens Advice says it doesn't guarantee you're buying from a real company.
Pay the safe way
The NCSC recommends paying by credit card if you have one, and never paying by direct bank transfer. Citizens Advice adds that being asked to pay in an unusual way, such as with vouchers or through a money transfer service, can be a sign of a scam.
A credit card payment can give you Section 75 protection, and debit card payments may be covered by chargeback. At checkout, the NCSC suggests filling in only the required details, using guest checkout where you can, and not letting the site store your card details.
If something feels wrong
The NCSC asks you to report scams so they can be taken down:
Forward a suspicious email to report@phishing.gov.uk
Forward a suspicious text message to 7726, which is free
Report a scam website to the NCSC through its website
Report a scam advert to the Advertising Standards Authority
If you think someone is calling to trick you into giving them money or personal details, hang up and call 159, a secure service that connects you directly with your bank. Citizens Advice says calls to 159 are usually charged at the national rate, depending on your provider.
If you've already paid
Tell your bank straight away. The NCSC says to report it as a crime to Report Fraud if you're in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, or to Police Scotland if you're in Scotland.
If you bought from a genuine shop and simply changed your mind, our guide on how to return something you bought online explains the 14-day right to cancel.
If the item arrived faulty, our guide to your rights when goods are faulty explains what you can ask for.
For a summary of the law, see our guide to your shopping rights.
Common questions
Does a padlock mean a website is safe?
No. The padlock means your connection to the site is encrypted. Citizens Advice says it doesn't guarantee you're buying from a real company.
Is it safe to pay by bank transfer?
The NCSC advises never paying by direct bank transfer when you shop online. A credit card gives you more protection.
How do I check if a company is real?
Search for it on GOV.UK to see whether it's registered at Companies House, check for a street address, and read reviews on other websites.
Where do I report a fake shopping website?
Report it to the National Cyber Security Centre through its website. If you've lost money, tell your bank and report it to Report Fraud, or to Police Scotland in Scotland.