---
title: "Fake shop and free trial scams: how to spot one | URLert"
description: "A shop with prices too good to be true, a shop link in a message, or a “free” trial that keeps charging your card. How to tell before you pay."
url: https://www.urlert.com/scams/fake-shops
mcp: https://www.urlert.com/mcp
---

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# Fake shops and free trials

A shop with prices too good to be true, a shop link in a message, or a “free” trial that keeps charging your card. How to tell before you pay.

An ad

Ad

Clearance sale! Dyson V15 for $89. Only 3 left: https://dyson-outlet.example

On this page

1. What it looks like
2. How to spot one
3. What to do
4. Already acted?
5. Similar scams

## What it looks like

An ad

Ad

Clearance sale! Dyson V15 for $89. Only 3 left: https://dyson-outlet.example

An ad

Ad

Free trial of our keto gummies! Just pay $4.95 shipping.

(The small print: $89.95 a month after 14 days.)

A message from a shop on a social app

For this discount we accept bank transfer or Zelle only.

Examples. The names and amounts change; the shape doesn't.

## How to spot one

1. **Prices far below everywhere else,** for things that are usually in demand, or medicines sold with no prescription needed.
2. **Pay by bank transfer, a payment app to a person, a gift card or crypto.** Paying by card means you can often get your money back.
3. **A shop you found through an ad, a sponsored search result or a message,** with no company name or address you can check.
4. **A “free” trial that needs your card.** The small print turns it into a monthly charge.
5. **Reviews only on the shop's own site.**

## What to do

1. **Order and pay only on the shop's own app or website.** Not through a link in a message.
2. **Search the shop's name with “reviews” or “scam”** before you buy.
3. **Pay by card, not by bank transfer.**
4. **Still not sure?** [Check the message](https://www.urlert.com/index.md) (or the shop's link). We open its link on a phone and a computer, not yours, and tell you what it is.

### Already ordered or paid?

- [I gave my card details](https://www.urlert.com/recover/card.md)
- [I sent money](https://www.urlert.com/recover/money.md)
- **A free trial?** Cancel before the trial ends, and keep the confirmation email. Charged anyway? Call the number on the back of your card.

## Similar scams

- [Marketplace buying and selling](https://www.urlert.com/scams/marketplace.md)
- [Parcel, toll and tax fees](https://www.urlert.com/scams/parcel-toll-tax-fees.md)
- [Bank and card alerts](https://www.urlert.com/scams/bank-and-card-alerts.md)

On this page

1. What it looks like
2. How to spot one
3. What to do
4. Already acted?
5. Similar scams

[URLert home](https://www.urlert.com/index.md)

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