Is Shopify legit? Yes. But scammers are running rampant. You can’t do anything about a seller who charges high prices or suddenly refuses to refund your payment. Starting an e-commerce business on Shopify has made it easy for scammers to penetrate online markets and dupe customers.
The good news is that you can avoid these scams by being aware of them. This guide will shed light on the latest Shopify scams out there. Let’s begin!
Types of Shopify Scams
Here is a list of the different types of Shopify scams you might encounter online:
1. The Shopify Email Scam
If you aren't tech-savvy or careful, you can be fooled by people who claim to be from Shopify customer support. Some scammers can pretend to be a Shopify employee, and they will send you emails to respond to. Here's an email you might get on the first day. They even use the Shopify logo. Did this scam happen to someone recently? Yes. The sender’s email address was themeshopifymarketing@gmail.com, and they had the Shopify logo as their image. On the first day, the scammer sent this email:
Dear Merchant,
We are informing you that your Shopify store has been flagged for review due to a compliance issue and a misconfiguration in your store's theme that violates our Terms of Service (TOS). This review is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring all stores are optimized for the best performance and security. What This Means for You:
Potential Risk: Immediate action is required to prevent any possible suspension of your store.
Visibility Impact: The misconfiguration has affected functions like live visitor tracking, sales increment tools, and Google search visibility. Enhancing your site can also improve its search engine visibility, attracting more customers. Next Steps: Please promptly resolve all the issues in your Shopity store to avoid permanent blockage. If you require expert assistance in resolving these issues and optimizing your store for long-term success, message our expert via jamespaulshopifyexpert@gmail.com. Rest assured, we are here to assist you every step of the way.
Sincerely,
Shopify Theme Support
2 days later, the scammer followed up with another email to make it look legitimate:
Dear Merchant,
We hope you received our previous message regarding your Shopify store's compliance issue and misconfiguration. We recommend addressing this issue immediately to avoid disrupting your store's performance or visibility. Our expert can assist you with resolving these issues. Please email jamespaulshopifyexpert@gmail.com to get started.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Shopify Team.
How Obvious Was the Scam?
Nobody on Shopify would contact you from a Gmail account. Shopify has its own domain, and it is not @gmail.com. But someone completely new to phishing emails might fall for it. The tone of the email was convincing, and someone who isn’t aware of this scam wouldn’t suspect a thing. There are no grammatical errors or typos in the email, either.
The only dead giveaway is the domain. What would be the right move? Forwarding this email to safety@shopify.com and reporting these two Gmail accounts to the official staff would be the right move. It is always a good idea not to engage with scammers because they can siphon more information from you.
2. Triangulation Scheme
This clever scam works in a three-step process that harms legitimate sellers:
- Fraudsters create a seemingly legitimate Shopify store
- They buy products from online suppliers using stolen credit cards
- When the credit card owner discovers unauthorized charges, they initiate a chargeback
- The supplier loses both money and merchandise
What makes this scam devastating is that everyone loses except the scammer. The original credit card holder gets their money back, but the seller is left without a product or payment.
You can identify this scam by watching for:
- Unusual ordering patterns
- Mismatched billing and shipping addresses
- Multiple orders from different customers were shipped to the same address
- You should implement address verification systems and review orders that trigger fraud alerts before shipping.
3. Duplicator Scheme
Copycats are nothing new in business, but this scam takes it to a criminal level:
- Scammers identify successful Shopify stores with loyal customers
- They create nearly identical stores with similar domain names
- They copy product listings, images, and store design
- Unsuspecting customers visit the fake site, thinking it's legitimate
- Customers suffer from poor-quality merchandise or never receive products
This hurts both customers and damages the original store's reputation through copyright infringement. You can spot fake stores by checking:
- Domain age (legitimate stores usually have older domains)
- Poor-quality product photos or descriptions copied directly from your site
- Significantly lower prices than market value
You should regularly search for copies of your store and report them to Shopify immediately.
4. Switching Scheme
This payment manipulation tactic targets sellers eager to close sales:
- A buyer purchases your Shopify store
- They contact you claiming payment issues
- They request a direct invoice, supposedly from PayPal
- You receive a fake PayPal notification claiming funds are held until shipping
After shipping, you discover the payment notification was fraudulent. Your merchandise is gone, and no payment has been received. You will avoid this scam by never accepting payment confirmations sent directly from buyers. Always verify payments within your official PayPal account dashboard. If buyers claim payment issues, direct them to try another payment method through your secure Shopify checkout.
5. Direct Client Scheme
This scam begins with trust-building before the actual fraud:
- Scammers make legitimate sales on Shopify to establish credibility
- After gaining trust, they suggest moving transactions off Shopify
- They present this as a way to avoid platform fees
- Once you agree and provide payment details, they abuse this information
- They may make unauthorized charges or disappear with products
You should never move transactions off secure platforms. The small savings in fees aren't worth the massive risk of fraud without platform protection. People will always try to convince you that bypassing Shopify is mutually beneficial. Remember that legitimate customers rarely suggest this arrangement.
6. Fake Return Ticket Scam
Return policy abuse is increasingly common on Shopify. Here’s how it works:
- Scammers purchase expensive products from your store
- They request returns for refunds
Instead of returning the original item, they send:
- An empty box
- A similar but cheaper product
- A broken version claiming it arrived damaged
- You issue a refund before thoroughly inspecting the return
You can protect yourself by:
- Photographing all items before shipping
- Creating detailed product serial number records
- Requiring video verification for high-value returns
- Implementing strict return inspection procedures
If you need to process returns quickly, assign a dedicated team member to verify returned merchandise against original shipment records.
7. Fake Purchase Order Scam
This technically sophisticated scam manipulates your checkout system:
- Scammers create an exact copy of your checkout page
- They modify the code to capture order data
- They alter price information before completion
- You receive what appears to be a legitimate order at a manipulated price
- You fulfill the order, not realizing the price discrepancy
You will need regular security audits of your checkout process. Monitor for unusual pricing patterns and verify orders that seem too good to be true. This scam targets merchants who process high volumes of orders without carefully reviewing each transaction's details.
8. Tracking Number Scam
This scam exploits the trust placed in shipping confirmation systems:
- Scammers provide fake or recycled tracking numbers
- These numbers initially show as "in transit" in tracking systems
- Customers believe their order is on the way
- The tracking eventually indicates delivery to the wrong location or becomes invalid
- By the time customers realize the fraud, payment processing is complete
Disputing charges becomes difficult since tracking shows "successful delivery." You should implement order tracking software that verifies numbers with carriers in real time.
Watch for patterns of delivery complaints despite tracking confirmation. This scam works because customers and marketplaces typically consider tracking numbers as proof of fulfillment without further verification.
How to Avoid Falling for These Shopify Scams?
You need a multi-layered approach to safeguard against these scams:
- Install fraud detection apps from the Shopify App Store
- Verify all orders that trigger risk indicators
- Document all customer communications
- Use Shopify Payments for transaction protection
- Implement two-factor authentication on your account
- Train staff to recognize social engineering tactics
All scammers constantly evolve their tactics. You should stay informed about new threats by following Shopify security bulletins and e-commerce security forums.
In-Depth Look at Shopify Scams
Running an online store can bring rewards and challenges. Scammers continue to use clever tricks that catch even careful merchants off guard. You may notice suspicious emails, cloned sites, or unusual order details. Knowing what to look for is key. Read on for practical tips and transparent steps to help keep your business secure.
Recognizing Scam Patterns
Scammers often mimic trusted brands. They send messages that look professional, use familiar logos, and replicate site designs. When you receive unexpected emails or see unverified payment messages, pause momentarily. Ask yourself:
- Is the sender using an official email domain?
- Do the website links match the actual site?
- Are order details consistent with your regular transactions?
Minor errors—like a mismatched domain—can be the first sign that something is amiss.
Tools and Daily Practices
Every day, you can take steps to guard against fraud. Consider these practices:
- Email Checks: Always verify the sender’s address before clicking any links.
- Two-Step Verification: Use extra security measures on your account.
- Order Inspection: Compare billing and shipping details carefully.
- Secure Payments: Stick with trusted methods that confirm each transaction.
These practices build a daily routine that helps protect your store and your customers.
Merchant Experiences
Many store owners have shared their encounters with scams. One seller received an order from a website that looked nearly identical to their checkout page. Another experienced repeated chargebacks after a buyer used suspicious payment signals. Listening to these experiences teaches you to trust your instincts. Save copies of all communications and always check order details. Learning from real cases strengthens your ability to spot warning signs early.
Prevention and Safety Tips
Simple, routine checks can make a big difference. Follow these steps to lower your risk:
- Review Orders: Verify that billing and shipping addresses match.
- Save Communications: Keep records of every message related to transactions.
- Report Issues: Contact support immediately if an order seems strange.
- Educate Your Team: Ensure staff knows what red flags to watch for.
A careful review of each order protects your business and reputation, even on busy days.
Stay Updated
Scam tactics change over time, so staying informed is essential. Subscribe to official newsletters or join forums where other merchants share their experiences. Regularly check the Shopify Help Center and trusted merchant communities for the latest warnings. By keeping up with new information, you can quickly spot any changes in scam patterns and adjust your checks accordingly.
Quick Reference List
Remember these safety points:
- Verify sender addresses on emails.
- Compare order details for consistency.
- Use two-step verification.
- Save and document all customer communications.
- Report suspicious orders immediately.
- Stay engaged with Shopify updates and trusted forums.
Using this list as a daily reminder can help you keep your store secure and your customers confident.
Extra Guidance for Daily Security
Your daily routine should include brief but focused checks:
- Look over recent orders before processing.
- Scan for any messages that seem out of the ordinary.
- Confirm tracking numbers with carriers when available.
- Keep records organized so you can review them if needed.
- Check the site’s security certificate and the https prefix just to be safe
The world of online selling demands attention to detail. Scammers use tricks that, at first glance appear genuine. When you set up daily checks and use trusted tools, you reduce your risk considerably. Each time you verify an email or double-check an order, you protect your business and your customers from potential loss.
Conclusion
You can protect your store by staying alert and using reliable security checks. Each step—from verifying emails to reviewing order details—builds a safer online space. Your care not only secures your business but also builds trust with customers. Keep learning, stay prepared, and never hesitate to report suspicious activity. Your commitment makes a real difference every day.
