Online Shopping Scams: How to Spot Fake Sellers on Amazon, eBay & More

You order a brand-name laptop on Amazon at what looks like a great deal. When the package arrives, you open it to find a cheap knockoff — or worse, a box of rocks. The seller's account has vanished. Your messages go unanswered.

This isn't a rare occurrence. Thousands of shoppers fall victim to e-commerce scams every year on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart Marketplace.

Common E-Commerce Scam Types

1. Fake Sellers

Scammers create brand-new accounts, list products at suspiciously low prices using stolen photos from legitimate sellers, then either ship counterfeit goods or nothing at all.

2. Bait-and-Switch

The listing shows a premium product with professional photos and glowing descriptions. What arrives is a completely different, inferior item that barely resembles the listing.

3. Flash Sale Phishing

You receive an email or iMessage claiming you've won a special flash sale or exclusive discount. The link leads to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials and payment information.

4. Fake Customer Service

Scammers call or message pretending to be from Amazon or eBay support, claiming there's an issue with your order. They ask for your OTP, credit card details, or request a wire transfer to "resolve" the problem.

How to Verify Seller Legitimacy

Before making a purchase, run through this checklist:

• Is the seller verified (Amazon Prime badge, eBay Top Rated, etc.)?
• Does the seller have at least 100 reviews?
• Do reviews include real customer photos?
• What is the seller's response rate and time?
• Has the account been active for at least 6 months?
• Is the price reasonable compared to market value (not suspiciously low)?
• Does the seller offer multiple products or just one item?

Rule of thumb: If the price is more than 50% below market value, it's almost certainly a scam.

Step-by-Step Refund and Dispute Process

If you've been scammed, follow these steps:

Step 1: Don't Confirm Delivery

If the item is wrong or missing, do not click "Confirm Delivery" on the platform.

Step 2: Document Everything

Take photos and videos of the product, packaging, shipping label, and any discrepancies.

Step 3: File a Return/Refund Request

Go to your order history and submit a return or refund request with all evidence attached.

Step 4: Contact Platform Support

• Amazon: Help & Customer Service section or call support
• eBay: Resolution Center
• Walmart: Customer Service portal

Step 5: File a Chargeback

If the platform doesn't resolve it, contact your credit card company or PayPal to dispute the charge.

Step 6: Report to Authorities

For significant fraud, file a report with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) at reportfraud.ftc.gov or your local consumer protection agency.

Red Flags Table

Red Flag	Risk Level
Price more than 50% below market value	Very High
New account with zero reviews	High
Requests payment outside the platform	Very High
Sends links via email/text for "prizes"	Very High
Asks for OTP or bank details by phone	Very High
Stock photos only, no real product images	Medium
Vague or incomplete product description	Medium
Seller lists only one product	Medium
Refuses to answer pre-purchase questions	High
"Customer service" calls from unknown numbers	High

Report Scam Sellers Anonymously with LOCK.PUB

When you discover a scam seller, sharing that information can protect other buyers. But you might worry about retaliation or exposing your personal details.

LOCK.PUB lets you create end-to-end encrypted, password-protected chat rooms where you can:

• Share scam evidence with other affected buyers without revealing your identity
• Coordinate reports with others who were scammed by the same seller
• Send information to authorities securely

Simply create a chat room at lock.pub, set a password, and share the link via iMessage or any messenger. Every message is encrypted — no one can read them without the password.

Final Thoughts

Online shopping is convenient, but it comes with real risks. Always verify sellers, compare prices, and never share OTPs or banking credentials with anyone claiming to be customer support.

If you or someone you know has been scammed, use LOCK.PUB to create a safe space to share evidence and coordinate action against fraudulent sellers.