Shopping guide

How to spot deal scams and suspicious listings

Last updated September 24, 2026

Most deals are legitimate, but scammers also use "amazing deal" messages to trick people. These tips help you stay safe.

Check the web address before you buy

Before entering payment details, look at the address bar. Make sure you're on the real store's website, spelled correctly. Scam sites often use look-alike addresses with extra words, swapped letters, or unusual endings.

On QasimPicks, every deal page tells you which website the button leads to before you click. You'll only ever go to a store if you choose to click.

Warning signs

• Pressure to pay outside the store. Legitimate marketplace sellers don't ask you to pay by gift card, bank transfer, or a payment app outside the store's checkout.
• Requests for login details or codes. No legitimate deal needs your password or a one-time verification code.
• Prices that seem impossible on high-demand items.
• Messages from unknown numbers with links you didn't ask for.
• Brand-new sellers with no history selling expensive electronics far below typical prices.

Protect yourself

1. Use the store's official checkout only.
2. Turn on two-step verification for your shopping accounts.
3. Use a payment method with purchase protection, such as a credit card, where possible.
4. Check your order in your account on the store's official website or app, not through a link in a message.
5. If a message seems suspicious, don't click — go to the store's website directly instead.

Counterfeit products

Counterfeit items are more common in some categories, such as branded accessories, cosmetics, and memory cards. Buying from the brand's official store page or well-established sellers can reduce the risk.

If something goes wrong

Contact the store's customer service through its official website, contact your bank or card issuer if you paid, and report scams to your local consumer protection authority. In the United States, you can report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

This guide is general information, not professional advice. Always check the product details, seller, and return policy on the store's page before buying.