fakeshophunter.comSpotting fake shops: 10 warning signs in TikTok ads
Many shops on TikTok advertise brand-name goods at prices that are too good to be true. We found these ten signs in shops whose suspicion we confirmed. A single sign proves nothing. If several apply, do not order.
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1. The ad leads to a product the shop does not otherwise show
Many fake shops show the advertised goods only through the link in the ad. The home page and catalogue show a completely different, harmless range. Try finding the product via the shop's home page. If you cannot, that is a strong warning sign.
2. Brand-name goods at prices that do not add up
Nine pairs of branded jeans for 25 euros, or discounts of 70 to 90 percent on everything: no honest retailer can cover such prices. Multipacks where one item costs less than shipping are particularly suspicious.
3. Closing-down sale, only a few left
A touching story about closing after many years, a countdown and claims such as “only 3 left” or “412 people are looking at this right now”. These are meant to rush you and are often made up.
4. No legal notice, or one without a postal address
Shops aimed at customers in Germany must state the provider's name, address and contact details. If the legal notice is missing or only lists an email address, you do not know whom you are dealing with. Even a complete legal notice proves nothing: fake shops often copy the details of real companies.
5. No information on the right of withdrawal, legal texts only in English
The shop is in German, but terms, returns and privacy exist only as English default texts. Information on the right of withdrawal under German law is missing. This points to a template shop set up for many countries at once.
6. The domain is only a few weeks old
Fake shops are short-lived. Once one is reported, the next appears under a new name. For many domain endings you can look up the registration date with a whois query. If the domain is less than three months old, be careful.
7. Reviews without a source
“4.9 stars from 13,834 reviews”, but no link to a review service where this could be verified. Testimonials from customers in US states on a German site are another sign of copied content.
8. A different merchant appears at checkout
Pay attention to the payee's name when paying. For the shops we examined, PayPal showed a completely different merchant name than the shop's. The money went through a second, inconspicuous shop. Cancel if the payee does not match the shop.
9. Prepayment only or unusual payment methods
If only bank transfer or prepayment is offered, you will hardly get your money back if it is a scam. Pay with buyer protection where possible, for example via PayPal or by credit card, and never by bank transfer to strangers.
10. The shop's name has nothing to do with the brand
A shop with a made-up name supposedly sells original goods of a well-known brand. Or the name combines the brand with words such as “outlet” or “sale”. Buy genuine brand-name goods from the manufacturer or from retailers you know.
Why TikTok ads in particular?
Ads on TikTok can be placed quickly and for specific countries. The ad videos look like ordinary posts, often featuring well-known brands. The shops behind them are built from ready-made templates within a few days and disappear as soon as they attract attention.
Already ordered?
Do not wait for replies from the shop. Dispute the payment immediately with PayPal, your bank or Klarna, and report the shop to us.