People are buying high-ticket items on eBay, filing returns, then sending back thank-you cards instead of the product. Sellers are reporting the scam (with proof the return label is on a tiny envelope) but get stuck in an endless appeals process. Good luck getting eBay on the phone to help. I’d steer clear for now.
How to spot a fake retail website before you buy
I got a question this week from Janet in Idaho. She was scrolling Instagram, clicked an ad for a super-cute dress and bought it. Next thing you know, there are bogus charges on her debit card. “How the heck did that happen?” she asked me. “It was a website I’ve shopped on before.”
Oh, Janet, don’t be a Mrs. Potato Head. Only use a credit card to shop online. They have fraud protections that debit cards don’t. And be on the lookout for scammers’ newest trick: Fake websites.
It starts with clicking an ad
This latest nefarious trick works because it’s copying websites you trust. The URL looks fine, the logos and slogans are there, the product pages look normal, and the payment platforms shown are all legit. Some of the sites even have the trusted HTTPS certification and 100% fake reviews.
So, how do you end up there in the first place? The jerk behind the site takes out social media ads and sends emails. You’re then lured by the extra-low prices, special discounts and free shipping.
Spoiler: You aren’t getting that product you ordered, or it’ll be a cheap knockoff. Worse, you may end up with a malware download that steals even more of your personal information.
Spot fake sites, fast
Here’s my quick cheat sheet to check before making a single click. For starters, if the price of whatever you’re buying is less than half of what it normally would be, move on, and ask yourself these questions:
- Is the URL multiple words? Big brands have enough clout to get simple domain names, like Macys.com or BestBuy.com. Fraudulent sites use longer, weirder titles like “MacyOutletShop.”
- Does this trendy boutique even exist? Many scam sites use names that sort of sound real, like “Homitage.” But if you’ve never heard of it, Google it. You should at least come up with reviews, additional landing pages or third-party sites selling the brand.
- Are there pushy pop-ups? Some websites have pop-ups for chats or discounts. But phony sites push pop-ups to ask for your contact or payment information while you’re still shopping.
- Where’s the customer service? Counterfeit sites may have a “Contact Us” email form that goes nowhere, but real sites will have plenty of ways to contact their customer service team.
- How do images look up close? Reliable sites use high-res images that are easy to expand or open in another window. Bogus sites typically use low-quality pics that don’t stand up under scrutiny.
Pro tip: Check the IP
Use this IP address tool to see where the site is located. Look for suspicious signs, like an American business with an IP address from overseas, including spots like China, India, Venezuela and other places that just don’t make sense.
Janet in Idaho, this one’s for you … The other day, I was in Safeway getting ingredients for potato leek soup. Two women were engaged in deep conversation about a friend’s divorce right in front of the leeks. So I said, “Excuse me, ladies, I need to take a leek.” It took them a few seconds to laugh.
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✈️ Travel smarter
These affordable, unique accessories should be in your bag:
- Add an extra layer of security with a portable safe. Secure it with a cord when you arrive at your hotel. It’s on sale for $16.70.
- On a plane that makes you plug in your headphones? Try these wired Sony earbud headphones, now 50% off ($9.99).
- Tangled cords are the worst while traveling. Tidy up your wired earbuds with this cable winder for $9.99.
- This travel wallet can hold your boarding pass, passport, ID, cards — whatever you need to have on hand quickly. It’s on sale for $13.99.
- Organize all your cords and wires with this accessories bag, now 21% off. Brilliant.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Never hurts to ask: Some credit cards offer extended warranties on anything you buy with the card. If your expensive vacuum or laptop craps out, it’s worth asking Amex or Chase if they’ll pay to repair or replace it.
Don't cancel this after a loved one dies
It’s typical to cancel credit cards, utilities, and subscriptions after someone passes. But a common mistake is pulling the plug on this too soon.
🚨 eBay scam alert: People are buying high-ticket items on eBay, filing returns, then sending back thank-you cards instead of products. Sellers report the scam (with proof, but the return label is on a tiny envelope) and get stuck in an endless appeals process. Find another place to sell your expensive stuff.
53% of businesses
Have been targeted by a financial deepfake scam. Even worse, 43% fell for it. These scams use bogus images, videos or audio recordings to convince people to buy gift cards, wire money or otherwise spend. If you get a random financial request at work, reach out to the person directly to confirm.
5 legit ways to make extra cash on your schedule
If you’re sitting on a pile of cash sipping mai tais in Bora Bora right now, congratulations (and where’s my invite?). For the rest of us, making a little extra money never hurts.
People ask me all the time for an easy way to rake in the dough. Do those exist? Yes and no.
Summer lovin’ (not splashin’)
Even the highest-rated “waterproof” phones were tested in fresh, calm water — not the beach or a chlorinated water slide. Protect your stuff.
- Retire the Ziploc bag: Snag a two-pack of Pelican Marine pouches for your fam’s phones. There’s a lanyard so your phone won’t slip into the water, but even if it does, it floats! The olive color is 30% off.
- Float on: This floating HD speaker has eight colors of LED lights … that project flamingos underwater! So fun. Right now, it’s 13% off (under $40).
- Throw and go: Get a dry bag and don’t worry about your phone, tablet, book … You name it, It’s covered. The waterproof 5L Heeta Dry Bag is 20% off and just under $12.
- Look, ma! No hands: Store your phone, cash and cards with a waterproof pouch — just $9.89 for a black-and-white set of two. It’s touchscreen-friendly, so you can splash and text.
- Beach reads: Protect your Kindle or iPad with a waterproof pouch. This floating one fits tablets up to 11 inches and is on sale for 11% off.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
💔 So very sad: A 73-year-old New Jersey woman lost over $50,000 in a romance scam. A man named “Henry” on Facebook wooed her. All she had to do was send him money and gift cards for travel, which he promised to give back and more. When her son found out, the money was gone. A detective confirmed the transfers went to Nigeria.
Hide your credit card: Roblox is adding paid video games to its ecosystem. So far, they’ve relied on the free-to-play model with optional in-game purchases (using Robux, the game’s currency). Pro tip: Only connect preloaded debit cards or gift cards to games. If it’s credit, a kid can spend as much as they want.
🔒 They’ll thank you later: Identity theft for kids under 19 is skyrocketing. Parents, create and lock or freeze your children’s credit ASAP so thieves can’t use their info for loans or credit cards. When they’re older, you can help them unfreeze it.
Get cash for your broken gadgets
Got old gadgets just collecting dust? You can turn them into Amazon gift cards, and the best part — they don’t even have to work!
Synthetic identity fraud: That’s when scammers steal a kid’s Social Security number and add bogus names, birth dates and email addresses to create fake personas. They open credit cards, max them out and leave a trail of debt. Have a kid age 13 or younger? Fill out this form to see if they have a credit report. Freeze it if they do.
💳 Don’t fall for it: Scammers pretending to be bank employees are phoning and texting with fake account fraud warnings. They’ll tell you to cut up your credit cards, leaving the chip inside intact. They then send someone to pick it up. With just that chip, they duplicate your card. A friend of mine started chanting in Latin the last time a scammer called. The man screamed, “No, don’t put a curse on my family!”
💳 Turning dollars into sense: Consolidate leftover gift cards with just a little bit of cash remaining on them using Amazon. Go to Account > Gift Cards > Purchase a Gift Card in the total of your remaining balance and send that electronic gift card to yourself. Now you can spend it. Easy‑peasy.
🚨 Don’t fall for it: Federal cybersecurity agency CISA says scammers are posing as CISA employees over the phone. Remember, a government agency will never hit you up asking for cash, crypto or gift cards.
Hackers’ new target: They’re tricking retail employees to get into their work accounts. Why? To make gift cards to use in stores and online. Stay safe, employers: Tell your team to avoid clicking random links, and make sure your antivirus software is up to date.
“Hi, sorry to bother. Do you shop through Amazon?” It’s a scam email, and it keeps ending up in Content Queen Allie’s inbox. If you respond, some jerk will try to convince you they have Amazon gift cards they’ll trade for cash. Hit “spam” and move on.