Recognizing online fraud: how to check a webshop

Recognizing online fraud starts with checking signals such as a suspicious URL, unrealistic discounts, missing contact details, unclear reviews and unsafe payment methods. A fraudulent webshop can sometimes look reliable, but small details may already show that something is wrong.

In this blog, you will learn how to recognize online fraud, which red flags matter and how to manage online business payments more safely.

What is online fraud through a webshop?

Online fraud through a webshop means that you pay for a product or service, but then receive nothing, receive a counterfeit product or can no longer contact the seller. In some cases, a webshop is used mainly to collect personal details, payment details or card details.

Not every fraudulent webshop is easy to recognize immediately. Some websites are clearly poorly built, while others closely resemble a reliable online store. That is why it is sensible to check several signals at the same time.

Dropshipping and the risk of fraud

Dropshipping means that a webshop sells products without holding its own stock. The order is then delivered directly by another party, often from abroad. This is not automatically fraud, but it can lead to longer delivery times, unclear return conditions and less control over product quality.

Be extra alert if a dropshipping webshop presents itself as a Dutch store, but provides little company information, mentions vague delivery times or uses only generic product images.

How do you recognize a fraudulent webshop?

You can usually recognize a fraudulent webshop by a combination of signals. One warning sign does not immediately mean that a webshop is unreliable, but several red flags together are a good reason not to place an order.

Language mistakes and unusual text

Fraudulent webshops are often set up quickly. As a result, they regularly contain spelling mistakes, unusual sentences or automatic translations. Think of product descriptions that sound unnatural or terms and conditions that are poorly translated.

Pay close attention if a webshop presents itself as a Dutch seller, but the language is not professional or consistent.

Unrealistic discounts

Fraudsters often use large discounts to quickly create trust. A new laptop worth €1,500 for €300 or branded shoes with a 70% discount may seem attractive, but such offers are often too good to be true.

If prices seem unusually low, always check whether the same products are also available from other reliable webshops and whether the seller clearly explains why the discount is so high.

Suspicious URL

Always check the webshop URL. Fraudsters sometimes use domain names with words such as “cheap”, “discount” or “sale”. They also use names that closely resemble well-known brands, but with one extra letter, a hyphen or a different domain extension.

Another red flag is a URL that does not match what the webshop is selling. For example, does the domain name refer to cars while the webshop sells office supplies? If so, extra verification is advisable.

HTTPS and security certificates

A reliable webshop should use a secure connection. You can recognize this by HTTPS and the padlock icon in the address bar. An SSL or TLS certificate helps to send data in encrypted form, such as address details and payment details.

Please note: HTTPS does not automatically mean that a webshop is reliable. Fraudulent websites can also use certificates. Therefore, see HTTPS as a basic requirement, not as proof of reliability.

Checking official trust marks

A trust mark can help you recognize a reliable webshop, but always verify whether the trust mark is genuine. Fraudulent webshops may place a trust mark logo on their website without permission.

Therefore, check whether the webshop appears in the official trust mark register, for example through the Thuiswinkel Waarborg member register.

Contact details and company information

A reliable webshop should be easy to contact. Check whether the website includes a working phone number, email address, business address, Chamber of Commerce number and VAT number.

Verify these details outside the webshop as well, for example through the Chamber of Commerce or other official sources. Also review the terms and conditions, return policy, shipping information and complaints procedure.

Checking reviews

Reviews can be helpful, but reviews can also be fake. Therefore, do not only look at the average score, but also at the content, date and writing style of the reviews.

• There are no reviews available at all.
• There are a striking number of one-star reviews.
• All five-star reviews look very similar to each other.
• Reviews contain the same spelling mistakes or sentence structure.
• There are hardly any two-star, three-star or four-star reviews.

Also sort reviews by “newest” instead of “most relevant”. This makes it easier to see whether complaints have been posted recently.

Pay afterwards

Paying afterwards can provide additional reassurance, because you only pay after receiving your order. However, this payment method is not without risks either. Always check that you are in the genuine payment environment of the provider and not on a fake page.

Be extra cautious if a webshop only offers upfront payment or pressures you to pay immediately.

Age of the website

Fraudulent webshops often exist only for a short period of time. Therefore, check how long the domain has existed. For .nl domains, you can use SIDN. For international domains, you can use a Whois lookup.

A new domain is not automatically fraudulent, but in combination with other red flags it is a reason to be extra cautious.

Social media advertisements

Many fraudulent webshops attract visitors through advertisements on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook or TikTok. The advertisement may look professional, but that says very little about the reliability of the webshop.

Therefore, do not only check the advertisement, but also the account, website, reviews and company details. For example, check whether the account has existed for longer, has genuine interaction and refers to consistent company information.

Official webshop verification sources

Check a webshop through official sources for additional reassurance. For example, verify whether a seller is known to the police, whether a trust mark is genuine and how long the domain name has existed.

• Check a seller through the Dutch police verification page.
• View known fraudulent sellers on the Dutch police warning list.
• Check whether a webshop is genuinely registered through the Thuiswinkel Waarborg member register.
• Check the age and registration details of a .nl domain through SIDN Whois.

How can you pay more safely online?

Paying safely online starts with checking in advance. Verify the webshop, use reliable payment methods wherever possible and only share the information necessary for the purchase.

For business purchases, make clear agreements about who is allowed to place online orders, which payment methods may be used and which spending limits apply. This reduces the risk of uncontrolled or unsafe online spending.

Paying online by card

Many webshops support payments with Mastercard, Visa or other payment cards. When paying by card, always check whether the webshop is reliable and whether the payment is processed through a secure environment.

For business online payments, preferably use cards with adjustable spending limits. This helps to limit the financial risk if a payment goes wrong or card details are misused.

iDEAL | Wero

iDEAL | Wero is a widely used payment method in the Netherlands and across Europe. Always check that you are in the genuine payment environment of your bank or payment provider. Fraudsters can use fake payment pages that look like a real environment.

Pay extra attention to the URL, the recipient name and the amount before confirming the payment.

PayPal

PayPal can be convenient for online payments, but it also requires strong security. Use a strong and unique password, keep your account details up to date and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.

Also always check that you are paying through the genuine PayPal environment and not through a fake page.

Public Wi-Fi networks

Avoid making online payments through public Wi-Fi networks. On these networks, there is a greater risk that data may be intercepted or that you may end up on an unsafe connection.

Preferably use a trusted network or a secure connection when making business payments.

3D Secure

3D Secure adds an extra verification step to card payments. For example, you confirm the payment through an app or additional verification. This gives you an extra moment to check whether the webshop, amount and payment are correct.

Safer online payments with SimpledCard

Business online payments involve additional risks, especially when employees place orders through different webshops, platforms and payment methods. Without clear spending limits and real-time insight, it becomes more difficult to stay in control of online spending.

With SimpledCard, you manage business online payments through prepaid payment cards, adjustable spending limits, 3D Secure and real-time transaction data. This helps to reduce risks and keeps finance teams in better control of online spending.

Read more about business payment cards or request a demo.