A Shopper’s Guide to Avoiding Fake Reviews and Scams Online

Shopping online has become second nature. Ordering groceries, picking up electronics, or even splurging on clothes – it’s all a click away. And as shopping went online, so did the scams. Phony reviews, knockoff goods, and phony sites have spread alongside the e-commerce phenomenon.

According to a 2023 BrightLocal survey, 42% of individuals have read one or more false reviews over the last year without even being aware of it initially. Another investigation by the FTC concluded that American consumers reported a total of more than $8.8 billion lost to fraud online in 2022 alone. Statistics like these indicate just how much is on the line.

So how do average consumers defend themselves? It begins with knowing why there are counterfeit reviews, how scams operate, and what methods actually work.

Why Fake Reviews Are Everywhere

Reviews are the online equivalent of the old word-of-mouth. Almost 9 in 10 consumers read reviews before a purchase, and roughly 79% claim they’re as likely to trust them as a personal recommendation.

That trust makes reviews incredibly powerful – so powerful that sellers are willing to bend the rules. Fake reviews aren’t always obvious one-liners written by bots. Many are crafted to sound convincing, with just enough detail to fool quick readers. Some companies even hire agencies to generate hundreds of “authentic-sounding” reviews. The goal is simple: build credibility fast and influence buying decisions, especially during popular shopping events like Labor Day sales deals.

Unfortunately, it works. Studies show that products with higher ratings can sell up to 270% more than unrated items. That financial incentive is exactly why the problem persists.

How to Spot a Suspicious Review

Not every review can be trusted, but shoppers don’t need special tools to detect the fakes. A few patterns usually give them away:

• Too much enthusiasm with no detail: “Amazing product! Changed my life!” with no explanation often signals low credibility.
• Repetitive wording: If five different reviews say the exact same thing, that’s rarely a coincidence.
• Strange timing: Dozens of five-star reviews showing up in one day? That usually means a paid campaign.
• No mention of downsides: Real customers typically include at least one small complaint. Reviews that read like a sales pitch raise red flags.
• Unverified purchases: Major platforms flag reviews from buyers who actually purchased the item. If that tag is missing, caution is warranted.

The safest approach is to look for patterns over single reviews. One overly positive comment might be fine, but if 20 reviews look nearly identical, it’s worth questioning.

Common Scams Beyond Reviews

Fake reviews are only one piece of the puzzle. Scammers use other tricks to get shoppers to click, pay, and regret later. Some of the most common include:

• Clone websites: These mimic popular retailers with nearly identical layouts. The difference? Once payment is sent, the site disappears.
• Too-good-to-be-true deals: That “$20 AirPods Pro” ad on social media isn’t a miracle – it’s bait.
• Counterfeit products: Luxury bags, sneakers, and even electronics are frequently sold as “authentic” but arrive as knockoffs.
• Phishing emails: Shoppers receive fake “delivery updates” or “exclusive discounts” designed to steal login and payment information.

The common thread? Pressure. Most scams try to create urgency so shoppers act quickly, skipping their usual caution.

Smart Strategies to Shop Safely

1. Shop from Trusted Retailers

Marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, or Target have built-in protections. Smaller sites can be safe too, but shoppers should double-check return policies, customer service numbers, and whether the site has “https” in its URL.

2. Dig Into the Reviews

Reading past the star ratings is key. Authentic reviews mention product quirks, experiences over time, and specific use cases. Generic praise without detail should raise suspicion.

3. Use Price Tracking Tools

Sites like CamelCamelCamel or Honey show price history. This prevents falling for “flash sales” where the price was artificially inflated before being “discounted.”

4. Compare Across Multiple Platforms

If a product only has hundreds of reviews on one platform but is nonexistent elsewhere, that’s a warning sign. Genuine items usually appear across different retailers.

5. Look for Expert Insights

To counter fake reviews, look for platforms that provide in-depth, unbiased analysis and data-driven comparisons before you shop. When professional reviews align with customer feedback, confidence increases.

6. Pay With Safe Methods

Credit cards or secure payment systems like PayPal offer fraud protection. Wire transfers or debit card payments don’t.

Real-World Examples of Smarter Shopping

• The Flash Sale Trap: A shopper sees sneakers at 70% off during a “24-hour sale.” A quick price-history check reveals they’ve been at that same low price for months. What seemed like urgency was just marketing.
• The Fake Review Flood: A kitchen gadget racks up 300 five-star reviews in two weeks. Upon closer look, every review mentions the word “innovative” in the first sentence. Suspicious, right? Sure enough, it was flagged later as manipulated feedback.
• The Smart Saver: Another shopper uses a trusted deal platform, cross-checks reviews, and applies a coupon. They walk away not only confident in the product but also knowing the discount is legitimate.

These examples highlight the same truth: awareness and patience make the biggest difference.

How Technology Plays a Role

Thankfully, shoppers aren’t alone in this. Retail behemoths are also getting in on the act, with Amazon publishing that it removed more than 200 million suspected bogus reviews in 2022. At the consumer level, browser extensions such as Fakespot or ReviewMeta provide shoppers with a simple means of scanning product pages and alerting suspicious patterns.

Platforms like Get Top Discounts also help buyers make smarter choices by guiding them toward genuine offers and verified deals. Technology won’t capture everything, but it does give an added measure of security – aiding to isolate actual customer comment from fabricated noise.

FAQs: Avoiding Fake Reviews and Online Scams

1. Are fake reviews against the law?

Yes. Regulators like the FTC classify them as deceptive advertising, and businesses caught using them can face hefty fines.

1. How may I identify a bogus retail website?

Watch for indicators like poor design, missing contact information, spelling errors, or the absence of “https” in the URL. Often, these minute clues reveal fraudulent websites.

1. Do review-checking tools really help?

Though no tool is perfect, they can be rather helpful. The best approach is to integrate them with cross-reviewing, common sense, and study before purchase.

1. What should I do if I’ve been scammed?

Well, in that case, you will have to act fast. Contact your bank to challenge the transaction, report the fraud, and change any possibly compromised passwords.

Concluding Notes

Online buying needs to be straightforward, not difficult. Shoppers can avoid swindles and concentrate on real discounts with some understanding and proper tools. It comes down to proper research, crosschecking, and platforms offering thorough, impartial analysis rather than star ratings and flashy discounts.

Ultimately, the best deal comes from knowing the purchase is safe, intelligent, and worth every penny rather than only saving money.