As shopping scams and romance scams continue to be a scourge on the American consumer, this year’s Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. While couples will be looking forward to exchanging gifts and experiences, scammers too are busy prepping.
Recently we have been tracking a large amount of new Valentine’s Day shopping scams. We’ve detected a total of 77,661 malicious URLs, with the states of California and Virginia being most affected, with 36.9% and 26.2% of the share, respectively.
These fake stores purport to sell a range of romantic gifts, from flowers to cards, and chocolates to clothing. One thing’s for sure, if you shop with these scammers, you’ll be left empty-handed and out of pocket. The following are what we’ve found.
Valentine’s Day Scam Websites
Teachergive
Prank Panda / Justlikeit
Nans Tees
Fydude
Cveraot.com
CNTHIAAR
MyFaceBoxer
Red Flags
All six of the stores share the same six red flags:
- The websites are very young.
- Much of the content is duplicated, including product pictures and policy statements.
- There are no contact phone numbers – just different email addresses.
- There are no reviews.
- There is no social media presence.
- The websites’ owners are hiding their identity on WHOIS.
Shop Safe with Trend Micro ScamCheck
- Always double-check reviews of shopping websites.
- Pay attention to the company’s age, and be suspicious of great-sounding discounts.
- Strange payment methods (such as only PayPal) are a red flag.
- NEVER use links or buttons from unknown sources! Use Trend Micro ScamCheck to detect scams with ease: ScamCheck is an all-in-one browser extension and mobile app for detecting scams, phishing attacks, malware, and dangerous links — and it’s FREE!
Trend Micro ScamCheck is a browser extension and mobile app for detecting scams, phishing attacks, malware, and dangerous links — and it’s FREE!
After you’ve pinned the ScamCheck extension, it will block dangerous sites automatically! (Available on Safari, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge.)
You can also download the ScamCheck mobile app for 24/7 automatic scam and spam detection and filtering. (Available for Android and iOS).
Check out this page for more information on ScamCheck. And as ever, if you’ve found this article an interesting and/or helpful read, please do SHARE it with friends and family to help keep the online community secure and protected. And don’t forget to leave a like and a comment. Happy Valentine’s Day, and happy shopping!
10 Comments
I order wireless handheld car vacuum 1/28/2023
confirmation # RKL5WEZ6C collect money ready($60.18)
but past 20days didn’t send to me.
would you check for what going on.By hwa shin woo | February 19, 2023I ordered and paid for tiffany lamps from bellelly and never received for two months,
I ordered clothing from Louswig , same thing no clothes
I ordered snowmen from Chumbench. No snowman
What is up with these Chinese. Are they scamming people..By Martha Ginter | February 18, 2023Don’t order anything from Pinkalidar scam no product no credit. Went round an round with time details for product an credit .
By Gerry McCaffrey | February 17, 2023I ordered a set of pots and pans thru Sams Club or that is what they said. I ordered them in December and paid 30.00 for them. Never received them and the order when through my back so I am now out 30.00p and no pans. I would like to know who to get ahold of the settle this. I am now sure it was a scam.
By Connie Ingle | February 16, 2023Shortture- They charged my account on 1-18-2023 and I still don’t have the shirts I ordered. They said it would take 5-7 business days and here it is February 15,2023 and I STILL DON’T at have my shirts. I can’t afford to lose $47.00 for nothing!!!! Very upset 😡
By Lori Murray | February 15, 2023Yeah my father-in-law got scammed out of $75
By Deanna Revees | February 14, 2023Do not order from arestaner. It’s a scam site. Anyone know about Homelygusto?
By Arestaner is a scam | February 14, 2023Thank you for this app. I will join everything that will help keep those little grimmy finger from ppl that just want to steal and destroy my online space. I dont bother anyone. I dont spend that much online mostly cuz i dont have it to spend. I surely dont need these creeps to take the little i have. I wish i cld work but i cant. So SSDI is what i live on. I dont have a penny to give the devils minions. They make it so disgusting when u are honest and trusting of others. We have to be careful of everyones words.
By Julia Batchelor | February 12, 2023I paid full price for the Bogota offer and your company took my money and didn’t send my merchandise. RIPOFF Seniors Citizens thank you for what you have done. May God Bless Your Mother, And I Pray She Didn’t Raise you like this.
By Frank N Smith Jr. | February 11, 2023I just happened to check my bank account to verify my mortgage payment. I found a pending unauthorized charge of $39.95 for some place named Fu-Ndi.com which I checked out online.
It appears this company in Fl but no description of products and/or services. I called but got a msg to contact abhelpline.com I immediately sent an email for a refund, now to sit n wait till morning to speak to a human. These companies will nickle&dime us best they can. I’ve also been a victim of fraud 2x. Am a senior on a fixed income but still ql in need protections. This kills my spirit, always being on guard. Ugh.By Ann Marie Patterson | February 8, 2023
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