Key Takeaways
Shopify itself is legitimate, but scammers use Shopify to target both buyers and sellers.
Buyers face fake stores, non-delivery, brand impersonation, and too-good-to-be-true discounts.
Sellers face phishing, fake experts, high-risk orders, stolen card transactions, chargeback abuse, and fake returns.
Fraud prevention comes down to verification, 2FA, fraud filters, secure workflows, and scepticism toward unsolicited contacts.
If something feels off — new domain, unrealistic discount, Shopify “support” from a Gmail address — assume a scam and verify before acting.
Scams Targeting Shopify Buyers
These scams affect customers shopping on Shopify-hosted stores. The risk is not Shopify itself — it’s that scammers can set up illegitimate storefronts quickly.
Fake or Non-Delivery Stores
This is the most common Shopify scam reported by buyers:
A Shopify store advertises trending items at a discount
You place an order
You either get no tracking or a fake tracking number that marks as “delivered” elsewhere
The store disables email, deletes the site, or stops responding
Patterns include:
Brand-new domain created days or weeks ago
Minimal or generic product descriptions
Fake “About Us” pages (sometimes with leftover placeholder text)
Heavy discounts that override buyer skepticism
Shopify allows reporting of scam stores, but most refunds come through your bank via chargeback, not Shopify.
Impersonation of Real Brands
Some scammers clone real Shopify stores:
Copying logos and branding
Using nearly identical domain names
Using stolen product images
Creating fake customer service emails
Victims often don’t realise they weren’t on the real site.
Always double-check the URL and search the brand name + “official website”.
“Too Good to Be True” Deals
During high-shopping seasons (Black Friday, Christmas), scam stores run extremely deep discounts (60–80% off). These stores rely on:
Urgency
Countdown timers
Social proof widgets (fake)
If the price feels unrealistically low for the category, assume a scam.
Fake Refunds & Customer Service Runarounds
Some scammers try to push buyers past the refund window by:
Sending fake refund confirmations
Promising that shipping “is delayed but coming”
Providing false tracking updates
Replying just enough to keep you waiting
If a store delays more than ~10 days with no proof, escalate to your bank.
Buyer Red Flags: How to Tell If a Shopify Store Is a Scam
Look for:
Domain created recently (WHOIS check)
No physical address or legitimate contact info
No real social media profiles
Only irreversible payment methods (crypto, wire transfers)
Poor grammar, low-resolution images
No independent reviews anywhere
If you see multiple red flags, leave immediately.
Scams Targeting Shopify Sellers
Shopify merchants face a completely different set of scams. Here is your original content, now enhanced with more depth and real-world examples.
Fake Payment Processing
One prevalent scam involves fake payment processing. Scammers may attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in the payment processing system, making it essential for merchants to stay vigilant. Fraudulent transactions can occur when scammers use stolen credit card information to make purchases on Shopify stores. To protect your business, implement strict security measures such as two-factor authentication and regularly monitor your payment transactions for any suspicious activity.
Scammers may attempt to:
Use stolen credit cards
Exploit checkout vulnerabilities
Request off-platform payments
Send fake PayPal “payment received” emails
Protect yourself by:
Enabling 2FA
Monitoring transactions daily
Verifying suspicious orders manually
Only trusting payment confirmations visible inside Shopify or the payment provider dashboard
Chargeback Fraud
Chargeback fraud occurs when a customer makes a purchase, receives the product or service, and then disputes the charge with their credit card company, claiming the transaction was unauthorised or fraudulent. Merchants can protect themselves by keeping detailed records of transactions, obtaining proof of delivery, and communicating effectively with customers to resolve issues promptly. Implementing a clear refund policy and providing excellent customer service can also help reduce the risk of chargeback fraud.
Chargeback fraud (also called “friendly fraud”) occurs when customers:
Receive the product
Then dispute the charge with their bank
Claim they “never ordered” or “never received” the item
Shopify merchants should:
Keep delivery proof
Record serial numbers
Use signature confirmation for high-value orders
Respond to disputes with clear evidence
Watch for double-refund scams (refund + chargeback)
Dropshipping Scams
As dropshipping gains popularity, scammers may exploit this business model to deceive both merchants and customers. Some fraudulent suppliers may misrepresent products, deliver substandard goods, or disappear after receiving payment. To avoid dropshipping scams, thoroughly vet suppliers, read reviews, and consider ordering samples before committing to a partnership. Building a reliable network of suppliers is crucial to the success of any e-commerce business.
Risks include:
Fake suppliers
Low-quality goods that trigger returns
Suppliers disappearing after receiving payment
To avoid this:
Vet suppliers thoroughly
Use established platforms or trusted partners
Order samples before going live
Track fulfilment performance regularly
Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks involve scammers impersonating legitimate entities to trick merchants into providing sensitive information such as login credentials or financial details. These scams often come in the form of deceptive emails or websites that appear to be from Shopify. Merchants should be cautious of unsolicited emails, verify the authenticity of communication, and report any suspicious activity to Shopify support.
Typical scam email copy:
“Your store has been flagged for policy violations. Immediate action required.”
Red flags:
Sent from Gmail, Outlook, or unofficial domains
Urgency language (“your store will be suspended in 24 hours”)
Links to fake Shopify login pages
Requests for your password, recovery email, or API keys
Protection steps:
Shopify will never email from a non-@shopify.com address
Never click links if unsure — log into Shopify directly
Forward phishing attempts to safety@shopify.com
Use 2FA for all staff accounts
Fake Apps and Themes
Shopify's extensive App Store and theme marketplace are both valuable resources for merchants seeking to enhance their store's functionality and appearance. However, scammers may create fake apps or themes to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or compromise store security. To avoid falling victim to this scam, only download apps and themes from the official Shopify marketplace, read reviews, and thoroughly research the developers.
Scammers distribute apps and themes:
Outside Shopify’s official marketplace
Embedded with malicious code
Designed to steal customer data or admin access
Avoid this by:
Installing only verified apps
Checking developer reputation
Removing apps you no longer use
Auditing theme code if you ever gave access to an unknown “developer”
Account Takeover Attacks
In an account takeover scam, fraudsters gain unauthorised access to a customer's Shopify account by exploiting weak passwords, phishing, or other methods. Once in control, scammers may change account details, make fraudulent purchases, or access sensitive information. Merchants can mitigate this risk by encouraging customers to use strong, unique passwords and implementing multi-factor authentication.
Fraudsters gain access through:
Password reuse
Phishing
Staff phishing
Compromised email accounts
Once inside, they may:
Change payout methods
Change account email
Add fraudulent apps
Export customer data
Mitigate by:
Strong unique passwords
2FA mandatory for all team members
Monitoring login history inside Shopify
SEO Spam
Some scammers target Shopify stores with SEO spam, injecting malicious code into the website to manipulate search engine rankings. This can lead to a negative impact on the store's visibility and reputation. Regularly monitor your website for any unusual changes, keep your platform and plugins updated, and use security tools to scan for potential vulnerabilities.
Common attack:
Injecting Japanese keyword spam (“Japanese SEO hack”)
Hidden backlinks
Fake pages for gambling/pharma keywords
How to prevent:
Use file integrity monitoring
Keep theme backups
Regularly review Online Store → Themes → Edit Code for unexpected changes
Refund Fraud
Refund fraud involves customers exploiting a store's return policy to obtain refunds without returning the purchased items. Scammers may claim they never received the product or received a defective item, leading to chargebacks or unwarranted refunds. Merchants should have a clear and well-communicated return policy, track return requests, and investigate suspicious refund claims thoroughly.
Scams include:
Fake “item not received” claims
Returning the wrong product (“switch fraud”)
Returning empty boxes
Coordinated refund abuse across multiple stores
Mitigation:
Photograph outgoing high-value items
Inspect all returns carefully
Require serial numbers or tamper-proof tags
Deny refunds if returned items don’t match SKU
Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts a store's data, rendering it inaccessible until a ransom is paid. Merchants should regularly back up their store data, keep their software updated, and educate staff about the risks of phishing emails, which are often the entry point for ransomware attacks.
Although Shopify itself is cloud-hosted and secure, your local systems (laptops, servers, etc.) may be compromised.
Prevent ransomware by:
Using antivirus and device encryption
Backing up theme files and assets
Training staff on phishing links
Avoiding installer files from unknown sources
Shipping Fraud
Scammers may exploit the shipping process by providing fake shipping addresses, leading to undeliverable packages or fraudulent chargebacks. Merchants should verify shipping addresses, use reliable shipping carriers, and communicate proactively with customers about their orders to prevent shipping-related scams.
Fraudsters may:
Provide fake addresses
Request last-minute address changes
Claim non-delivery to force refunds
Hijack deliveries
Protect yourself:
Verify mismatched billing and shipping addresses
Use signature confirmation
Photograph parcels at drop-off or pickup
Use address-validation apps
Why Understanding Shopify Scams Matters
As ecommerce continues to grow, Shopify scams evolve just as quickly. Fraudsters rely on speed, automation, and the fact that most people are not trained to spot early warning signs.
Whether you're a buyer or a merchant:
Awareness is your best defence.
Verification is your second.
Reporting scams helps protect the ecosystem for everyone.
The scams are getting more sophisticated — but so are the tools for fighting them. By staying vigilant and informed, you can operate confidently on Shopify and avoid the pitfalls that catch so many others off guard.
