Who: The FTC tracks consumer fraud and fake businesses.
When to use: Use when you paid for something you did not receive or was not as described.
What to prepare:
- Order details
- Amount paid
- Seller name or site
- Screenshots
Go to FTC ReportFraud~5 min
Category: Online & communication
Fake shopping & online retail scams
Most reportedImportant
If a deal looks too good to be true, it often is. Legitimate sellers do not ask you to pay more or send gift cards to "release" an order.
How it often plays out
Sarah finds a popular toy on a new website at half the normal price. She pays with her card; weeks go by and nothing arrives. When she tries to contact the “seller,” the site is gone. The site was a front—scammers take payment and never ship, or send junk. Sarah had thought she beat the rush; she never saw the toy or her money again. Other common forms: counterfeit goods sold as brand-name, social media shop scams (Instagram/Facebook ads), fake ticket sales (concerts, sports), bait-and-switch (very low quality vs. the ad), or overpayment check scams where a "buyer" sends extra and asks you to refund the difference.
By the numbers
- Online shopping fraud was one of the top categories of fraud reported to the FTC in 2023.
- Social media marketplace scams are increasingly common; verify the seller before paying.
How to spot it
- Stores or sellers that only exist on social media with no verifiable business.
- Deals that are far below normal price or "today only" pressure.
- A "buyer" who overpays by check and asks you to wire or send the difference back.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Keep order details, payment method, and any messages or ads.
- Report to the FTC and, if the site was online, to IC3.
- Dispute unauthorized charges with your bank or card issuer.
Don't
- Send more money or gift cards to "release" an order or get a refund.
- Wire or send the "difference" back if a buyer overpays by check.
Summary & what to do
Fake shopping sites or sellers take your money and never send the product, send counterfeits, or use bait-and-switch. This includes fake stores, social media shops, fake tickets, and overpayment schemes. Reporting helps others and can support investigations.
What to do right now
- Stop any further payments. Do not send more money or gift cards.
- Keep order details, payment method, and any messages or ads.
- Report to the FTC and, if the site was online, to IC3.
Where to report
Who: The FBI's IC3 handles internet-related fraud.
When to use: Use when the purchase was made online.
What to prepare:
- Website URL
- Dates and amount
- Any messages
Go to IC3~10 min
Frequently asked questions
- I paid but never got my order. What do I do?
- Stop any further payments. Dispute the charge with your bank or card issuer. Report the seller and transaction to the FTC and IC3 with order details, screenshots, and any messages.
- Someone overpaid me by check and wants a refund. Is that a scam?
- Yes. The check will bounce. Do not wire or send any money back. Report to the FTC and your bank.