Shop Safely on Discount Days: How to Spot Real Deals vs. Scams

Why a lot of scams happen right now

During major discount events people make quick, time‑pressed purchases. Scammers take advantage of this: fake stores, bogus shipment notifications, and ads boasting unbelievable prices. If you know what to look out for, you can shop with confidence.

Before you buy: Is the offer legitimate?

• Compare the price with other retailers. If a branded item is only a fraction of the usual cost, something is almost always off.
• Check the claimed original price. EU sellers are required to disclose the lowest price in the last 30 days when offering a discount – if this information is missing or feels odd, proceed with caution.
• Read reviews not just on the shop itself but also on independent review sites.

How to spot a fake shop

• The address looks odd, contains typos or an unusual domain suffix.
• There is no complete imprint with a physical address and contact information.
• The only payment option left is prepayment by bank transfer, even though other methods were advertised earlier.
• A countdown timer or “only 1 left” statement puts you under intense pressure.

Our guide on fake shops and the link‑checker help you investigate suspicious sites.

Be wary of messages about your order

During these times you’ll especially encounter fake shipment SMS and emails: “Package couldn’t be delivered,” “Customs fee due,” “Confirm your address.” Do not open links in them. Always check the shipment status directly in the app or on the shop’s or courier’s website you open yourself.

Pay safely

• Use payment methods that offer buyer protection or reversal, such as purchase on invoice, direct debit, or credit card.
• Never pay with gift cards or cryptocurrency to merchants you don’t know.
• In your banking app, read carefully what and how much you confirm before authorising a transfer.

Shopping on the go

When you’re in a café or on a train using public Wi‑Fi, other users on the same network could snoop or redirect you to a malicious site. Shop there instead with your mobile data or with a VPN turned on, encrypting your connection to our server.

If you’ve already fallen for it

• Call your bank immediately and stop the payment or request a charge‑back.
• Change passwords if you entered login details and enable two‑factor authentication.
• Save the order confirmation, messages, and screenshots, and file a police report.

Our first‑aid page walks you through the first minutes step by step.