Safe Online Shopping

Fake online stores advertise deep discounts on tools, work boots, phones and gear, then ship nothing, ship knockoffs, or steal your card number. A few checks before you buy, and paying the right way, protect your money.

• Everyone
• Workers buying tools

Signs of a fake store

• Prices far below everyone else, especially for name-brand tools and electronics
• A website that was set up recently or has a strange address (like a brand name plus extra words)
• No real contact information, physical address or customer service phone
• Payment only by wire, payment app, gift card or crypto
• Spelling mistakes, copied photos and no real reviews (or only perfect ones)
• Found through a social media ad you can’t find again

Before you buy

• Type the store’s address yourself or use its official app, instead of clicking ads.
• Search the store name with “scam,” “complaint” or “review.”
• On big marketplaces, check the seller’s rating, history and return policy, not just the platform’s name.
• Read the return and refund policy.
• Check that you’re on the real site before entering card details.

Pay safely

• Credit cards give you the strongest protection: you can dispute charges for items you didn’t receive or that weren’t as described.
• Debit cards draw directly from your bank account; disputes can take longer.
• Payment apps, wire transfers, gift cards and crypto are like cash. If it’s a scam, the money is usually gone. See Payment App Scams.
• Consider virtual card numbers if your bank offers them.

Counterfeit safety gear

Knockoff hard hats, safety glasses, harnesses, chargers and batteries are sold online. They may look right but fail when you need them, and fake lithium batteries can catch fire. Buy safety equipment from known suppliers and check for the certification marks. See ANSI Standards and Battery Safety.

Deliveries

Fake delivery texts often follow online orders. Track packages only through the store or carrier’s official site or app. See Text Message Scams.

If you’re scammed

1. Contact your card issuer or bank right away and dispute the charge.
2. Report the seller to the marketplace or platform.
3. Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Last updated: October 1, 2026