Back-to-school shopping can be exciting, but it is also a time when online shoppers should be extra careful. Parents, students, and families may be searching for laptops, tablets, backpacks, shoes, uniforms, textbooks, stationery, and other school essentials.
Unfortunately, scammers can take advantage of this increased demand by creating fake online stores, misleading advertisements, counterfeit websites, and unrealistic discounts.
A website can look professional and still be fraudulent. Some fake stores copy product photographs, logos, descriptions, and even customer reviews from legitimate businesses.
According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), shoppers should research unfamiliar sellers, compare prices, examine return policies, and keep records of online purchases.
What Are Back-to-School Shopping Scams?
Back-to-school shopping scams are fraudulent schemes designed to trick consumers into paying for products or providing personal and financial information.
A scam may involve a fake website advertising:
- Laptops and tablets
- School uniforms
- Sneakers and shoes
- Backpacks
- Textbooks
- Calculators
- Headphones
- Stationery
- School supplies
- Electronics
- Discounted educational products
After placing an order, the customer may receive nothing, receive an item that is different from the advertisement, or discover that the seller cannot be contacted.
Why Fake Shopping Websites Are Dangerous
Fake shopping websites can cause more than financial losses.
Depending on what information a shopper provides, a fraudulent website may attempt to collect:
- Name and address
- Phone number
- Email address
- Account passwords
- Credit or debit card information
- Other personal information
This is why it is important to investigate an unfamiliar website before creating an account or making a payment.
Common Back-to-School Shopping Scams
1. Fake Online Stores
One of the most common techniques is creating an online store that appears legitimate.
The website may have:
- Professional product photographs
- Attractive product descriptions
- Fake reviews
- Discount banners
- A shopping cart
- A checkout page
- A customer-support section
However, the business behind the website may not actually exist.
Before buying from an unfamiliar seller, search for the company name together with terms such as “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” The FTC recommends this type of research when evaluating unfamiliar online sellers.
2. Extremely Cheap Back-to-School Deals
A dramatic discount can be tempting, particularly when families are trying to reduce their back-to-school expenses.
However, an unusually low price deserves additional research.
For example, if an unfamiliar website advertises an expensive laptop at a fraction of its normal retail price, compare the product with prices from established retailers before purchasing.
The FTC warns that unusually low prices can be a warning sign, particularly when expensive brand-name products are being offered at bargain prices.
3. Fake Social Media Shopping Ads
Social media platforms can make it easy for scammers to advertise products to potential buyers.
A shopper might see an advertisement for discounted school supplies, click the advertisement, and be taken to an unfamiliar website.
FTC data published in 2026 found that shopping scams were the most reported type of scam originating on social media in 2025. More than 40% of people who reported losing money to social-media scams said the scam started with an item they ordered after seeing an advertisement.
This does not mean that every social media advertisement is fraudulent. Instead, shoppers should independently verify the seller before making a purchase.
4. Fake Brand Websites
Scammers may create websites that imitate well-known retailers or brands.
They can use similar:
- Logos
- Colors
- Product images
- Website layouts
- Domain names
Always check the actual website address before entering payment information.
If you already know the retailer’s official website, typing its address directly into your browser can be safer than clicking an unfamiliar advertisement or message.
5. Fake School Supply Giveaways
Another possible scam involves advertisements claiming to offer free:
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Backpacks
- School uniforms
- Scholarships
- School supplies
The promotion may eventually ask for payment information for “shipping,” “registration,” or another fee.
Before providing personal or payment information for a giveaway, investigate who is offering it and why the information is required.
How to Identify a Fake Shopping Website
Check the Domain Name Carefully
Look closely at the website address.
Watch for:
- Misspelled company names
- Extra words in the domain
- Unusual combinations of letters
- Suspicious subdomains
- Domains that do not match the advertised company
Do not assume that a website is legitimate simply because it uses HTTPS.
HTTPS encrypts the connection, but the FTC explains that scammers can also use encrypted websites.
Research the Seller
Search for the company independently.
Useful searches include:
Company Name + review
Company Name + complaint
Company Name + scam
Look at multiple sources instead of relying exclusively on reviews published on the seller’s own website.
The FTC recommends checking reviews from different sources because online reviews can sometimes be fake or misleading.
Compare Prices
Before purchasing an expensive school item, compare its price with several reputable retailers.
Pay attention to the total cost, including:
- Product price
- Shipping
- Taxes
- Handling fees
- Other charges
A very large price difference should encourage additional research rather than an immediate purchase.
Check the Return and Refund Policy
Read the seller’s return policy before paying.
Find out:
- How many days you have to return an item
- Who pays return shipping
- Whether sale items can be returned
- Whether there are restocking fees
- How refunds are processed
The FTC recommends checking delivery, return, and refund policies before purchasing online.
Look for Real Contact Information
Be cautious if a website provides little or no information about how customers can contact the business.
Check whether the site provides reasonable customer-service information and whether the information appears consistent.
Be Careful When Shopping Through Search Results
Finding a website through a search engine does not automatically mean that the website is trustworthy.
Scammers can sometimes use paid advertisements and misleading search results to direct consumers toward fraudulent websites.
The FTC advises consumers not to assume that the first search result is necessarily the official website. When possible, independently verify the business and its website address.
Use Safer Payment Methods
When available, paying by credit card can provide additional protections if something goes wrong with an online purchase.
The FTC recommends using credit cards when possible and warns consumers about sellers who insist on payment through gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or other payment methods that can make it difficult to recover money.
Never allow a seller to pressure you into using an unfamiliar payment method simply because they claim it is the only available option.
Keep Your Purchase Records
After completing an online purchase, keep copies of:
- Order confirmation
- Receipt
- Product description
- Seller information
- Shipping details
- Return policy
- Emails and messages
- Payment records
These records can be helpful if you need to contact the seller or dispute a transaction.
What to Do If You Purchased From a Fake Website
If you believe you have been scammed, act promptly.
Contact Your Payment Provider
Contact your bank, card issuer, or payment service and explain what happened.
Ask whether the transaction can be disputed or whether other recovery options are available.
Monitor Your Accounts
Check your bank and payment accounts for unfamiliar transactions.
If you created an account on the suspicious website and reused the same password elsewhere, change that password on your other accounts.
Save Evidence
Take screenshots of the website, product listing, order confirmation, emails, messages, and payment information.
Do not delete important communications.
Report the Scam
Consumers in the United States can report suspected scams to the FTC through its official fraud-reporting service:
You can also review the FTC’s broader consumer guidance on:
FTC Online Shopping Safety Advice
Consumers outside the United States should also consider reporting suspected fraud to their bank, payment provider, and the relevant consumer-protection or law-enforcement authority in their country.
Back-to-School Shopping Safety Tips
Before purchasing from an unfamiliar website:
- Research the seller.
- Compare prices with established retailers.
- Check the website address carefully.
- Read independent reviews.
- Examine the return and refund policy.
- Look for legitimate contact information.
- Avoid pressure to make an immediate purchase.
- Be cautious with unusually cheap products.
- Use safer payment methods.
- Keep your receipts and order information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if a back-to-school shopping website is fake?
Research the seller, examine the domain name, compare prices, check independent reviews, verify contact information, and read the return policy before making a purchase.
Is HTTPS proof that an online store is legitimate?
No. HTTPS means that the connection is encrypted, but it does not prove that the business behind the website is legitimate. Scammers can also use HTTPS.
Are social media shopping advertisements safe?
Not automatically. Social media advertisements can lead to legitimate retailers, but they can also lead to unfamiliar or fraudulent websites. FTC data shows that shopping scams were the most reported type of social-media scam in 2025.
What should I do if my order never arrives?
Contact the seller first. If the issue is not resolved, contact your payment provider and ask about available dispute or refund options. Keep your order confirmation and other records.
Should I buy school supplies from a website offering extremely large discounts?
Research the seller before purchasing. An unusually low price can be a warning sign, especially when an unfamiliar website is selling expensive branded products.
Final Thoughts
Back-to-school shopping can be done safely with a little preparation. Before purchasing from an unfamiliar website, take time to research the seller, compare prices, verify the website address, read the refund policy, and choose a payment method that offers appropriate protection.
Most importantly, do not let an urgent message or unusually large discount pressure you into making a decision before you have checked the seller.
A few extra minutes of research can help you avoid losing money and can make your back-to-school shopping experience much safer.
Helpful Resources
- FTC Online Shopping Guide
- FTC Shopping Consumer Advice
- FTC Social Media Scam Advice
- FTC Scam Information
- FTC Fraud Reporting
