With the growth of online shopping, the rise of fraudulent websites poses a serious threat to unsuspecting consumers. Bstoer.top, an illegitimate online shopping site, is a prime example of a misleading platform that uses the well-known Barnes and Noble brand to trick customers.

This article discusses whether Bstoer.top is safe, how it works, what to do if you get scammed and a few tips to protect yourself against such scams.

Is Bstoer.top safe?

Bstoer.top is a fake website, copying the look of the real Barnes and Noble site and selling fake or non-existent products at unbelievably low prices. The scam uses different tricks to attract unsuspecting customers, including sending spam emails and advertising on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to promote its deceptive deals.

How does this scam work?

It employs various deceptive tactics to deceive online shoppers looking for cheap deals:

Promotion through spam and social media: Bstoer.top promotes itself using spam emails and deceptive ads on social media platforms. They try to lure users with prices that seem too good.
Bait and switch tactics: After orders and payments are processed, customers receive either nothing, low-quality products, or completely different items than advertised.
Ignoring customer complaints: When customers reach out to Bstoer.top for refunds or to report fraud, they are left with no response or face blocked accounts. This lack of accountability allows the scam to continue unchecked.

Millennials, gen z most likely to lose money to tech support scams: survey

What to do if you get scammed?

If you have been scammed by Bstoer.top, take immediate action to protect yourself:

Contact your bank: Tell your bank about any disputed charges, and consider cancelling your card to stop more fraudulent purchases.
Keep records: Save your receipts, emails, screenshots, and any details about the transaction as evidence of the scam.
File a complaint: Complain with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), providing relevant records to aid investigations.
Leave online reviews: Help others by sharing the scam details on consumer review sites.
Report social media accounts: If social media plays a role, report the accounts to get them taken down.
Reverse payments: If you used a credit card, ask for a chargeback. Contact the recipient’s bank for wire transfers to try to reverse it.
Check credit reports: Request your credit reports to spot any fraudulently opened accounts, and think about freezing your credit if needed.

Tips to protect yourself from such scams

To protect against online shopping scams, shoppers should be vigilant and look for warning signs:

Check for legitimate domain names: Verify domain names for odd spellings or extra words and search the company name online to confirm its authenticity.
Verify company details: Confirm the presence of a physical business address and working customer service contacts.
Unrealistic discounts: Extreme discounts, especially 75% or 90% off, often indicate scams.
Check company reputation: Search for online reviews and check with reputable platforms like BBB or TrustPilot for the company’s reputation.
Analyse site security: Ensure the site uses SSL encryption and provides guaranteed refund policies. Avoid unsecured sites for payments or sensitive data.
Watch for grammar errors: Fake sites often lack proper grammar and original content seen on legitimate businesses.