Bought an item from [email protected]? It’s A Scam Store!

Did you buy something from an online store that uses [email protected] as its email? You’ve been scammed! [email protected] is an email address used by lots of fraudulent online stores. The network of online shopping sites lures buyers with discount sales but either delivers a cheap inferior item or nothing at all.

They also engage in bait and switch scam, subscription scams, and identity theft. This kind of scam became rampant since the COVID-19 pandemic, preying on online shoppers.

[email protected] Reviews and Complaints

Bought a Double 18 volt Rechargeable refrigerator on June 20th and was charged even $10 for shipping and nothing came so I’m calling my capital one card company to tell them this fraud and also have bought clothing that never came too!!!!!

I am canceling my credit card payment – I am feeling stupid, but the website that I ordered from did not look suspicious. I guess they never do

Kim

PURCHASE LUGGAGE 3 WEEKS AGO NO EMAIL OR SHIPPING INFO. THEY CHARGED MY CARD BUT NOTHING AFTER THAT,

Rose

This is How The [email protected] Scam Stores Work

The scam stores uses clearance sale or unbelievable discount of goods to entice customers on Facebook, Instagram, or even TikTok. The ads use often have a note of urgency ‘Offer closing soon’ ‘Don’t Miss Out’ ‘Last Day Clearance Sale’, etc.

Sometimes, the scam impersonates popular brands like Bed Bath Beyond, Calvin Klein, Clarks, Pink Lily, etc. All these are social engineering tactics to gain buyers trust and make people fall for the offer.

After customers make payment, the scam stores do not deliver the items paid for or send a feedback. In rare cases, customers receive a fake tracking number or even a total cheaper item instead of what was ordered. When they request to return the cheap item, they’re either told to shop it to China, or keep it.

The Structure of [email protected] Scam

[email protected] scam shopping sites have a six layer structure;

Uses A Recently Registered Website

The scammers always use a fresh website that is easy to dispose off. Sometimes they buy a domain that looks similar to that of popular brands; BedBathbeyondUs Pinklily-sale, etc. All to increase their chance of making people fall for their scam offer.

Displays a UK Address or Company

UK address or Companies are often used by the fake shopping sites. However, it’s just a virtual address, even the company often listed is easily registered on Companies House were you can register any kind of company for as low as $5.

Uses Ads On Social Media With Discounts That are Too Good To Be Ignored

These fraudulent websites use ads on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. These ads appear randomly on people’s pages with mouth-watering discounts.

Hooks Customers with Fake Reviews & Trust Budges

Aside from enticing customers with low prices, the scam also uses falsified reviews and Trust Badges which is easily gotten off the internet. They do this to increase the level of trust and make buyers lower their guards.

Collects Payments and Disappears

Once the buyer make a payment the scammers completely vanishes. There’s no feedback or positive response.

Shuts Down The Website & Start A New One

Once there are lots of negative reviews online about a particular website, the scammers shut it down and it becomes inaccessible. Then they move on to another website, and start the structure again.

What To Do If You’re a Victim of This Online Shopping Scam

Contact Your bank To Cancel The Transaction and Get a Refund

The first thing you should do is contact your bank to inform them about the fraudulent purchase. Through the chargeback system, you can get your money back from the transaction if you file a dispute claim. You could also request for a credit card freeze. That way, your bank would block any future transactions on your credit card, ensuring that scammers are unable to exploit it.

Update Your Passwords and Enable Two Factor Authentication

The second step you should take is updating your passwords. This should be done if you’ve used the same password you used on the websites or applications. You should also go an extra step of enabling two-factor authentication. This would keep you protected from data breech.

Meanwhile, you should beware of any fraudulent email from [email protected]. Do not click on any suspicious link in the email, as it could be a phishing scam. Clicking on the link might install malware on your phone which could compromise your device’s security.

Report the Scam;

Report the scam to relevant authorities and organizations. This includes:

• Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If you are in the United States, you can file a complaint with the IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov/.
• Your Local Consumer Protection Agency: Contact your local consumer protection agency or the equivalent regulatory body in your country.
• Better Business Bureau (BBB): File a complaint with the BBB if the online store is based in the United States.

How To Easily Identify a Scam Website This 2023

Aside from the obvious too good to be true discount sale, here are other ways to identify a scam website;

Recently Registered Website

How old is the website? The domain age of a website tells a lot about a store’s legitimacy or transparency. Websites below 6 months old are often considered unsafe. You can find out a website’s age by checking on Who.is ( a free domain checker tool)

Website Lacks SSL Encryption

find out if the website is secured with SSL encryption. (https and padlock symbols). If the padlock symbol doesn’t appear near the website’s URL, then it means your personal and financial information is at risk at the store.

No Business Address/ Fake Business Address

Does The website provide return address? If Yes (Copy the address and paste on your browser. Google map would show if it is a real warehouse address or a residential address) If the address has also been used by other websites you’d see reviews in search results.

No Reviews Online

Are there customer reviews online? (It is advised that you sit it out if there are no customer reviews of the store. However if you’re not patient enough to wait you can send a mail to us to verify if the store is legit)

Shady or No Returns and Refund policy

If the policy isn’t available or if it isn’t clear, you should quit shopping.

Unsecure methods of Payment

When an online store’s payment methods lack the necessary encryption and security measures to protect customers’ sensitive financial information, it puts you – the shopper at risk of unauthorized transactions.

Conclusion:

[email protected] is an email address used by fraudulent online stores. The structure of this scam starts with discount sales offer, and ends with the failure to deliver items bought.

The sad thing about this scam is that it’s an offshore scam so it is difficult apprehending the scammers. However, all hope is not lost. If you’re a victim, kindly report the scam to authorities like the FTC and IC3 immediately.

Collect evidence like ads and screenshots. You should also dispute credit card payments as fraudulent with your bank.