Deal of the century? Or scam of the week?

Social media sites are flooded with ads offering deep discounts on products with claims of a “warehouse sale” or “everything must go!”

Online shopping through small, unknown websites may provide deals but not all such sites are legitimate. These fake e-shops are on the rise with scammers creating realistic websites featuring sales on popular brands and even feature fake reviews. Upon making a purchase, the victim receives something different than what was advertised, or nothing at all. If you find an ad for a product that is unusually cheap, be suspicious.

Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself from a fake e-shop. Put the name of the website or company into a search engine and include the word “scam.” You can also search for the product the website is claiming to sell. If the product is significantly cheaper on the questionable website compared with other sites, it’s likely a scam. If you are still unsure, it’s best to ignore the ad.

more information at marincountyda.org or 415-473-6495