How to Know if That Shopping Website is Fake
Have you scrolled through Facebook and received an ad for an online outlet store for one of your favorite retailers? Do the prices look too good to be true? How can you tell if this site is an authorized retailer for the brand or a scam? Below, I share tips on how to know if that shopping website is fake.
Many of these tips also work for other types of websites that offer news, products, or bargains. Be an informed consumer. Take a few minutes to do some research before buying, and you may save yourself from a scam.
How to Know if that Shopping Website is Fake
When shopping online, it's hard to know if what you've found is a legit deal or if it's a scam. There are many tools to help you determine the legitimacy of a website, but also some visual cues that even the least techie online shopper can use to recognize a fake authorized retailer or scam site.
Below, my tips for determining if a shopping website is fake are geared toward those of us who love the internet but don't necessarily understand how it works. You don't need a degree with my tips to figure out whether that website deserves your hard-earned money or if it will steal your identity and the contents of your bank account.
Do your homework before shopping for any new website, and look out for red flags. Scammers are savvy; it may not be immediately obvious, but the tips below may help prevent you from being their next victim.
First, Do a Quick Cursory View of the Site
Is the Site's Branding the Same as the Parent Company?
No respectable retailer (AKA parent company) would have different branding on their outlet site. Authorized outlets will not just have the same logo, but the same font, same color of font, and usually the same website design. Let's use Coach and its authorized outlet store as an example.
Above, I have a collage with a screenshot of the Coach website homepage, after tapping the “women” category in the navigation bar. Below, the Coach Outlet website homepage, also after tapping “women” in the navigation bar. Same website design, same fonts, same everything.
It's easy to replicate a logo; it's harder to replicate fonts and website design. This consistency is a green flag and tells you it is likely an authorized outlet site for the parent company.
Look for a favicon
If you are on a desktop or laptop and have more than one tab open in your browser, you will see that most have a little graphic on the tab. That graphic matches the branding of the company. This is called a favicon. For example, this site has a black circle with “WO2” in it, which stands for Wardrobe Oxygen.
A legit shopping site would have a favicon. On top of that, outlet stores often have the same favicon as the parent company, or a variation of the same favicon. For example, Banana Republic Factory and Banana Republic have the same favicon of a white rectangle with BR inside it.
Above in the collage, you see that the supposed MOTHER Denim outlet site does not have a favicon, just an initial. When looking at the tab in a browser, all you see is the generic globe favicon that represents any website.
How is the Grammar?
An established retailer would have a second set of eyes on the site before it goes live, looking for grammatical errors, spelling errors, and typos. Before a legitimate online store is available, the draft version will be seen by techs, project managers, branding managers, and sometimes contractors or outside vendors to ensure usability and that all typos are fixed.
For this, I will use the site “OutletsOff” as an example. This is a site that regularly advertises on Facebook that it has brands like Talbots, Eileen Fisher, and Ann Taylor for up to 90% off. Any site that offers brand names for less would need to be an authorized seller. Think T.J.Maxx or RueLaLa. No legit brand will partner with a site that misses glaring typos.
I scrolled to the bottom of the homepage to learn more about the site and found several errors. Notice there is a space missing between “save” and the amount saved. Exchange isn't capitalized in the menu, and there is a space missing between “partner” and “program.” Terms and conditions is plural, but return and exchange is not. To have that many errors in just the footer? HUGE red flag.
What is the Return Policy?
While authorized outlets often have more stringent of return policies than its parent company, there will still be information on what to do in case you receive a damaged item. Any outlet store will inform you whether you are able to return the purchase to a brick-and-mortar version of the outlet store or to the parent company's stores.
If the return policy is confusing, convoluted, or contradictory, that is a red flag. Again, typos and grammatical errors are a red flag. Not having a way to contact the company for return policy exceptions or questions is a red flag. Above is a screenshot from the OutletsOff website. Typos, convoluted policies, weird formatting, and no way to contact customer service are a whole host of red flags.
Some sites have a return policy that appears to be for a completely different website. I visited the return policy for the supposed MOTHER Denim outlet store, and the return policy was for APMX and discusses precious metals and risks of money laundering. What the heck does that have to do with a pair of discounted jeans? HUGE red flag.
Next, Use Online Tools To Determine Legitimacy
View Site Information
This step will make you feel super techy. Look at the top of the browser where the URL for the site is. Depending on your browser, you will see a lock or you will see an icon to gather more information. Click that. At a minimum, there should be a padlock icon stating that the site is secure. But these days, that is not enough.
Click to see the certificate, or click where it states the certificate is valid. The information on the certificate should be for the retailer. If it is all hidden or information for a different company, do not shop there. If the information is specific to the website and not the brand, that is a major red flag.
Run the URL through Scam Adviser
Scam Adviser (https://www.scamadviser.com/) is a free tool where you can drop the link to any website and find out if it's sketchy and why. Still using this MOTHER outlet site as an example; below is a screenshot of its results on Scam Adviser.
I know the font on this screenshot is small so a quick recap: the supposed MOTHER denim outlet has a slightly low trust score. While it's set up to sell product and the SSL certificate is valid, the website owner is hiding its identity on WHOIS with a paid service, the site is served from a high risk location with many low rated sites on the same server, several spammers and scammers use the same registrar, and the site is very new.
This isn't enough to determine a site is a scam, but it's definitely a red flag.
Run the URL through ICANN
In general, an outlet site will have website registration data as a parent website. ICANN (https://lookup.icann.org/en/lookup) is a tool where you can look up information about a site, and you can compare information to the parent company.
Again, I am using MOTHER denim and the supposed MOTHER denim outlet as an example. Above are screenshots from ICANN of the MOTHER official website and the supposed MOTHER outlet site. Both have privacy tools enabled (heck, I use these myself for Wardrobe Oxygen), but notice how the MOTHER site has the name of the privacy company, contact info and an address while the “outlet” site has everything hidden. That's a red flag for sure.
Still Not Sure if That Shopping Website is Fake?
If you've gone this far and are still not sure if that online outlet or shopping website is fake, go to the source. Contact the parent company. Use their customer service chat feature on their website, or send them a DM on social media and ask! No retailer wants you to be scammed by a site pretending to be them. They will be happy you asked and will do their part to shut that scam site down.
As a website owner, I speak for all that if you have found a fake version or copy of our websites, blogs, and social media accounts, please let us know. We don't want them either and often have tools to get them taken down.
Hey, You Didn't Include the Tip I Use to Check to See if a Site is a Scam
When researching this article, I read other articles on how to be safe when shopping online and found a lot of their suggestions are dated. For example, all of the scam websites I visited had a certificate, and they all were https not http. Scammers are constantly looking for new ways to be successful; it's important to keep up to date with their tactics.
I find the visual cues I shared above more reliable than many of the old suggestions. However, I believe the more help, the better. If you have a suggestion on how to check for a scam site that I did not include above, please share in the comments!
Authorized Fashion Outlet Stores
I am as excited for a deal as you. Below I share some of my favorite authorized fashion outlet stores. These are online stores that have great deals and are not scams. You will find great style for less and sleep well at night knowing it is a legitimate purchase!
- Banana Republic Factory: The same aesthetic at Banana Republic, but with budget-friendly fabrics and details to lower the price. I personally find the fit better at BR Factory than the parent company!
- Ways to know it's legit: It links to Banana Republic in the top navigation on the site, it has the same website design and branding as the regular Banana Republic site, The Gap owns the site certificate, and there are several ways to contact customer service.
- Coach Outlet: A mix of simpler items designed specifically for the outlet and clearance items from Coach, this is a trusted destination for lower-priced Coach products.
- Ways to know it's legit: it links to the parent company (Tapestry) in the footer, it has the same website design and branding as the regular Coach site, Tapestry owns the site certificate, and there are several ways to contact customer service.
- Gap Factory: Just like Banana Republic (which is under the Gap, Inc. umbrella), Gap Factory provides apparel in the same aesthetic as Gap, but just made more simply to be able to offer it at a lower price. I have had mixed experiences with Gap Factory, but find it a great place for basics for the whole family.
- Ways to know it's legit: It links to Gap.com in the top navigation on the site, it has the same website design and branding as the regular Gap site, The Gap owns the site certificate, and there are several ways to contact customer service.
- J. Crew Factory: The same aesthetic as J. Crew, but designed more simply to offer the look for less.
- Ways to know it's legit: it links to J. Crew in the footer, it has the same website design and branding as the regular J. Crew site, J. Crew International owns the site certificate, and there are several ways to contact customer service.
- Kate Spade Outlet: Like many popular labels, the Kate Spade Outlet offers clearance merchandise from previous seasons as well as more budget-friendly pieces created specifically for the outlet.
- Ways to know it's legit: it links to the parent company (Tapestry) in the footer, it has the same website design and branding as the regular Kate Spade site, Tapestry owns the site certificate, and there are several ways to contact customer service.
- Nordstrom Rack: Essentially a clearance rack for Nordstrom, you can find great brands for great prices at “The Rack” but shop quickly because items are limited!
- Ways to know it's legit: it links to Nordstrom in the footer, it has the same website design and favicon as the regular Nordstrom site, Nordstrom owns the site certificate, you use the same login for the Nordstrom site.
- REI Outlet: Outdoor gear and apparel for much less, the REI Outlet has last season's merch for great prices.
- Ways to know it's legit: The REI Outlet is the same URL as REI, just a part of the site dedicated to their clearance or “outlet” merchandise. Recreational Equipment, Inc. owns the certificate, and you can use the same REI tools, like your Co-op number, at the outlet.
- Saks OFF Fifth: Like Nordstrom Rack, Off Fifth is a place to shop for the clearance merchandise and last season's pieces from Saks Fifth Avenue. And like Nordstrom Rack, selection is limited, so shop before it is out of stock!
- Ways to know it's legit: You can use and apply for the Saks credit card on the site, the site certificate is owned by Hudson's Bay (parent company), it links to brick-and-mortar stores, and the Terms and Conditions connect to Saks.
If you have additional questions about how to tell if a shopping website is fake, if an online outlet is a scam, or if you have a favorite authorized outlet or factory store you wish to share, please let me know in the comments!
Did you like what you just read?
Consider tapping here to buy me a coffee in thanks. The best gift you can give a content creator is the gift of sharing. Consider sharing this article on Facebook or Pinterest. Thank you so much for your support!
Great tips. I wish I had read this before being scammed by an “Eileen Fisher” outlet that I linked to via Facebook 2 years ago. My salvation was paying with PayPal. When I received bogus, fake merchandise, it only took me about 10 minutes to file a complaint of fraud with PayPal, and they fully refunded me.
I ALWAYS screen shot my transactions and receipt of payment. This helped me with filing my claim. Additionally, as you noted, I should have called the parent company, which I did after the fact. They were distressed for me, but obviously could do nothing.
One tip I can pass on is this: if in doubt, don’t order before researching the site. Look at their customer service information. Try calling and emailing them. I got no response when I attempted to contact this fraudulent company.
Again, thank you for the information. There is much to be learned here.
This post was so helpful! I really appreciate having these tips in my toolbelt and will refer back if I am ever in doubt about a site.
I was fooled once and it’s really foolish that I didn’t catch it. I clicked on a Facebook ad for Maui Jim sunglasses. I placed an order and actually received the items. They were horrible! One pair of sunglasses had 2 different colored lenses and one lens couldn’t even be seen through. This was just one issue with the 3 pairs I ordered. The obvious cue I missed? Maui Jim was misspelled in the URL. I still kick myself over this one.
Thank you so much for this post. I appreciate the time it must have taken to do the research! I got burned last year for the first (and, thankfully only) time before Christmas last year. I ordered some items from what I thought was a Talbots outlet store. The photos of the clothes matched items I had seen on the real Talbots website. The grammar and the look of the website were perfect. I got a couple of emails saying that 1) my order had been received and 2) my items would soon be shipped. No alarms went off in my head until a couple of weeks went by, the expected shipping date had passed, and no merchandise had arrived. When I started looking for a way to call customer service, there was nothing to be found. I ended up calling the real Talbots website and quicky learned that I had been scammed. I am grateful that my credit card company refunded my money.
I had a brief moment of fear just now when I realized I sent my husband a link to the Saks Off 5th website for an item I want for my birthday. I think the site is real. Your post says they do exist! But, I still have a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Very useful info. The first time I saw a fake brand website I was fooled for a minute or two but then noticed some of the very things you pointed out. Some of the Facebook posts “what I got vs. what I ordered” are funny, but probably not so funny to the person who has lost the money on junk.
Of relevance right now, though not fashion-related, I receive 10-20 texts a day claiming to be asking for donations for political candidates. Not much info is provided, but if you click the sender’s email address it turns out to be something like “[email protected]. If you’re going to donate, seek out the candidate’s own website or something like Act Blue.
I love your blog more and more.
This information is so useful, and important, but no other fashion blog I read has ever mentioned this stuff.
Thank you so much, Fiona!
This was timely (spring shopping), and well written! I always look for correct grammar and spelling, and will now be aware of favicons!
I had no idea of favicons before having a blog. Now I’m always scoping them out!
Great article for tech and non tech alike. Thank you Alison, you continue to produce excellent content!
A note about nordstrom rack: I have found on several occasions that they are more expensive than nordstrom. Ymmv.
That is interesting! I wonder why, if it’s a marketing tactic. Nordstrom price matches, but the Rack doesn’t. Hrmmm….
Recently, I have found the exact same item online at the Rack and Nordstrom — at the same sale price. Since Nordstrom offers free shipping and free returns, I buy there. It seems to be items that are still carried at N, making me think it’s an issue related to returns or perhaps too much stock. I always double check both places now before buying.
such a great tip, thank you Bette!
This is a great post — I had never heard of favicons and appreciate the tip. A real world example of almost being scammed (me!): I was recently searching for a Longchamp outlet and found a site with amazing prices that appeared completely legitimate. But, I noticed the lack of a brick and mortar address, with customer service being an email only. Hmmm. So, I contacted Longchamp HQ and discovered there are NO legitimate outlets in the US. Who knew. (The annoying thing: Longchamp was well aware of the fake site, but had not taken steps to shut it down. I guess it’s like playing whack-a-mole. Shut one down, two pop up.)
Shutting down scam and fake sites is SO hard. Even I, a blogger, have had folks try to create fake versions of this site, stealing my content. Other sites will use my photos to say I am a columnist or have a testimonial raving about them and I never heard of them before. And sometimes I am unable to shut them down because they hide all their ownership. It’s infuriating and a reminder that we can’t take anything online at face value.
Wow — this is so comprehensive yet easy to understand. Saving this for future reference! Thanks for this great information.
I’m glad you find it helpful!