How do I get my money back after an online shopping scam?
File a chargeback with your credit or debit card issuer if you paid by card — this is usually your strongest option. If you paid via PayPal or a similar service, open a dispute there first.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Online shopping scams fall into two broad categories: fake stores that take your money and send nothing (or send a cheap knockoff), and real-looking listings on marketplaces where the seller disappears after payment. Recovery options depend almost entirely on how you paid.
Credit card is the best outcome — file a chargeback under 'item not received' or 'not as described.' Your issuer will dispute the charge with the merchant's acquiring bank. Provide screenshots of the product listing, your order confirmation, and any communications with the seller. Most issuers resolve these within 60 days, and many issue provisional credit while investigating.
Debit card chargebacks follow similar rules but are governed by the Electronic Funds Transfer Act rather than the FCBA. The dispute window is narrower and provisional credit is less automatic. Act within 60 days of the statement date.
PayPal Buyer Protection covers most goods transactions made through PayPal's checkout — open a dispute in the Resolution Center within 180 days. For transactions on major marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, or Amazon, use the platform's built-in dispute process first, then escalate to your payment method if the platform's process fails.
If you paid by bank transfer, Zelle, or Cash App directly to the seller, your options are limited (see those specific guides). Always prefer paying through a protected method for online purchases.
Common red flags
- Price is dramatically lower than the same item on major retailers
- Website was created very recently (check WHOIS) and has no physical address
- No returns policy listed or returns address is overseas
- Payment only accepted via Zelle, Cash App, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer
- Reviews are all five stars from accounts with no purchase history
- Seller rushes the sale and pressures you to complete before 'stock runs out'
What to do now
- File a dispute with your credit or debit card issuer immediately
- If paid via PayPal, open a dispute in the Resolution Center
- If via a marketplace, use the platform's buyer protection program
- Report the fake store to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Report to the marketplace where you found the listing
- Check for reviews of the store on scam-reporting sites
Frequently asked questions
The website I bought from has disappeared — can I still get a refund?
If you paid by credit or debit card, yes — the chargeback goes through the card network, not the merchant. You do not need the merchant to cooperate. File the dispute with your card issuer directly.
What if I paid extra for 'shipping insurance' and it also disappeared?
Fake shipping insurance is a common add-on scam. Dispute the full charge including the insurance fee as part of your card chargeback. The insurance was never a real product.