Fake shops and pay-later traps: consumer advice center warns

Fake shops and pay-later traps: consumer advice center warns

Cheap offers in online shops can often lead to expensive disappointments. The consumer advice center warns against fraudulent practices in so-called fake shops and the risks of “buy now, pay later” options. Complaints about fake shops increased almost sixfold between 2020 and 2023. Customers are lured with low prices for high-quality products that are never delivered. Communication with shop operators often ends after payment and the money is lost. In 2023 there were over 6,900 complaints about fake shops to the consumer advice center alone.

To protect themselves from online rip-offs, consumers should be skeptical of extremely cheap offers and check the website's imprint. Relying on well-known quality seals such as “Trusted Shops” can also help identify fraudulent shops. If you have already ordered from a fake shop and no goods have been received, the consumer advice centers recommend contacting the credit institution and filing a criminal complaint with the police. The constantly updated fake shop finder from consumer advice centers can help to distinguish reputable from dubious providers. A total of 56,500 fake shops have already been identified.

Even on large platforms like Amazon, caution is advised, as fake shops are increasingly appearing here too. Amazon's marketplace in particular poses risks as fake or manipulated shops appear. In addition, the consumer advice center warns of the risks behind the tempting “Buy now, pay later” payment option from providers such as Paypal, Klarna and others. This option can cause consumers to lose track of their loans and payment deadlines and can easily fall into debt. It is recommended to prefer alternative payment methods to avoid financial risks.