Quick answer: pause before checkout
Do not trust a store just because it has a nice logo, product photos or a discount countdown. Scammers can copy all of that.
Check whether the shop has real contact details, realistic reviews, clear refund information and a domain that matches the real business.
Warning signs
Very cheap prices, bank-transfer-only payment, no ABN or clear business details, copied reviews, poor refund information and pressure to buy now are all warning signs.
Be careful with social media ads that lead to a shop you have never heard of.
Safer habit
Search for the store name separately. Open the real brand website yourself. Use safer payment methods where possible and avoid sending identity documents for simple purchases.
Use the free checker before the next step
These free tools are a first check only. They are not a guarantee. Do not enter passwords, one-time codes, card numbers or identity documents into a checker.
Benefits and practical outcomes
Use these outcomes as a practical check on whether the advice is making the situation clearer and easier to manage.
Slower decisions under pressure
A short verification pause can stop urgency from deciding what you click, pay or share.
Independent verification
Checking through an official app, known website or saved contact reduces reliance on the suspicious message itself.
Better evidence
Keeping messages, receipts and timestamps makes it easier to explain what happened if you need help.
Clear escalation
A simple next-step plan helps you know when to contact a bank, platform, provider or hands-on support.
Example: urgency plus a link
A message says action is required immediately and includes a link for payment or sign-in. The recipient does not use the link; they open the organisation’s official app or known website and verify whether any real alert exists.
Outcome: the decision is separated from the pressure created by the message.
Can a fake shop have HTTPS?
Yes. A padlock only means the connection is encrypted. It does not prove the shop is honest.
What if I already paid?
Contact your bank or card provider first, then save evidence and use the lost money next step helper.
Should I send my licence to an online shop?
Be very cautious. A normal shop should not need unnecessary identity documents for a normal purchase.