How to Avoid Scams on Bing & Google Shopping

Scam shopping websites found on platforms like Google Shopping and Bing Shopping often follow the same deceptive patterns. While they may look professional at first glance, a closer look usually reveals multiple red flags that expose their true nature.

• One of the most noticeable issues is that the website lacks a distinctive title or clear identity. Legitimate businesses usually have a brand-focused title that clearly describes their company, products, or services. Scam sites often use generic, vague, or mismatched titles that do not properly reflect what they claim to sell.


• These websites frequently rely on stock photos or stolen images from other websites instead of real product photos or original brand visuals. Product images may appear overly polished, reused across multiple unrelated sites, or trace back to well-known retailers. This is a common tactic used to quickly build a fake storefront without actually owning inventory.


• Another major warning sign is that the site presents inaccurate or false information. This can include fake business addresses, disconnected phone numbers, copied “About Us” pages, or policies that don’t make sense. Details about shipping times, returns, or company background often contradict each other or are clearly copied from other websites.


• In many cases, the logo does not match the website name. The branding may look inconsistent, low quality, or unrelated to the domain name. Scammers often reuse random logos or poorly edited designs that do not represent a real, established business.


• These scam websites also commonly falsely represent themselves as well-known companies such as Costco, Wayfair, Overstock, or other major retailers. They may use similar logos, brand names, or claims like “official outlet” or “clearance partner” to mislead shoppers into thinking they are dealing with a trusted brand.


• You’ll often see fake customer reviews displayed directly on the website. These reviews are usually overly positive, generic, and repetitive. There is typically no way to verify them, and they may not be connected to any real review platform.


• To build a false sense of security, scam sites frequently show fake security badges, including “McAfee Secure” or “Norton Secured” logos on product pages or checkout screens. These badges are often just images and are not clickable or verifiable, meaning the site has no real security certification.


• Another common trait is prices that are unbelievably low. Scammers attract victims by offering deals that seem too good to be true — for example, high-end products at 70–90% off. These unrealistic discounts are designed to trigger impulse buying.


• They also use aggressive sales tactics to pressure quick decisions. This includes fake limited-time offers, countdown timers, “only 2 left in stock” messages, or pop-ups claiming many people are viewing or buying the same product. These tactics create urgency so shoppers don’t take time to research.


• Many scam sites include social media icons that don’t work or simply link back to the homepage. Legitimate businesses usually maintain active social media profiles, while scam sites either have no real presence or use non-functioning links.


• Finally, the copyright notice is often incorrect or outdated. You might see old years, mismatched company names, or generic copyright text copied from elsewhere. This is another sign the site was quickly assembled without attention to detail.

When several of these warning signs appear together, there is a high likelihood the shopping website is not legitimate. Shoppers should always verify the company independently before making any purchase.