These dodgy sites are almost identical clones of one another. They both claim to sell small items ranging from electronic goods to children’s toys. Both exhibit several red flags commonly associated with scam sites:
- Low rating Trustpilot rating: Their Trustpilot rating is alarmingly low, holding a 1.6-star rating from 21 reviews. Nearly all of these customers have expressed dissatisfaction with products not aligning with descriptions, malfunctioning, or not arriving at all.
- Poor customer service: Many reviewers have complained that the customer service at both sites is unresponsive or nonexistent.
- Incomplete contact information: The contact page for PiloSaleLtd.com lists a phone number that is not in service, while the contact page for PiloLtd.com only lists an email address.
- Limited social media presence: PiloSaleLtd.com has a Facebook page with only 15 likes, while PiloLtd.com doesn’t have any social media pages at all.
- Subpar design and obvious errors: Both websites are poorly designed and contain grammatical errors, further eroding their credibility.
- Both relatively new websites: PiloSaleLtd.com was registered in December 2022, while PiloLtd[.com was registered in January 2023. This is a common tactic used by scammers, as they can quickly create a new website and disappear once they have stolen enough money from customers.
- Bargain-basement prices: This is another common scam tactic. They will offer products at prices that are too good to be true, in order to lure in customers.
How to avoid being scammed when shopping online
Scammers are constantly coming up with creative ways to swindle victims out of their hard-earned cash, so it’s important to take steps to protect yourself. Here are a few ways to avoid scam websites when shopping online:- Shop with trusted retailers: Stick to well-known and established online stores that have a good reputation. Avoid shopping on websites that you’ve never heard of before or that look unprofessional.
- Look for the HTTPS lock: When you’re on a website that’s secure, you’ll see a padlock icon in the address bar and the URL will start with “https://” instead of “http://”. This means that your information is encrypted and protected from hackers.
- Beware of phishing emails: Scammers often send phishing emails that look like they’re from legitimate retailers. These emails may contain links to fake websites or ask you to enter your personal information. Never click on links in emails or enter your personal information unless you’re sure you’re on the real website of the retailer.
- Be careful about social media ads: Scammers often use social media ads to promote fake products or websites. Be wary of any ads that offer products or prices that seem too good to be true.
- Read customer reviews: Before you buy anything, read customer reviews to see what other people have said about the product and the retailer. If you see a lot of negative reviews, it’s best to avoid the product or retailer.
- Be careful about what information you share: Only share your personal information with retailers that you trust. Avoid giving out your Social Security number or credit card information unless it’s absolutely necessary.
- Do your research: If you’re buying something from a new or unfamiliar retailer, take some time to research them online. Read reviews from other customers and see if the retailer has a good reputation.
- Be suspicious of deals that seem too good to be true: If you see a product that’s priced significantly lower than it is on other websites, it’s probably a scam.
- Don’t wire money to sellers: Wiring money is like sending cash, and it’s very difficult to get your money back if you’re scammed.
- Use a secure internet connection: Avoid shopping online when you’re using public Wi-Fi, as these networks are less secure.
