Target Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam: Don’t Fall For It!
Written by: Stelian
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Target is one of the most popular and trusted retailers in the US, offering a wide range of products at affordable prices. However, some scammers are taking advantage of Target’s reputation and customer loyalty by creating fake online shopping sites that look like the real Target website. These sites are designed to trick unsuspecting shoppers into buying counterfeit or non-existent goods, or to steal their personal and financial information. In this blog post, we will explain what the Target Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam is, how it works, and what you can do if you have fallen victim to it.
What is the Target Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam?
The Target Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam is a type of online fraud that involves scammers creating fake websites that mimic the appearance and functionality of the official Target website. These websites may use a similar domain name, logo, layout, colors, and product images as the real Target website, but they are not affiliated with or authorized by Target in any way. The scammers may also use fake social media accounts, email addresses, phone numbers, and customer service representatives to make their sites seem more legitimate and trustworthy.
How does the Target Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam work?
The scammers behind the Target Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam use various methods to lure potential victims to their fake websites. They may send phishing emails or text messages that claim to offer discounts, coupons, free shipping, or other incentives to shop at their sites. They may also use online ads, pop-ups, or redirects that appear on legitimate websites or search engines. Alternatively, they may rely on typosquatting, which is when they register domain names that are similar to the real Target website but have slight misspellings or variations. For example, they may use targett.com, targget.com, target-shop.com, or target-official.com instead of target.com.
Once the victims land on the fake websites, they may browse through the products and add them to their shopping carts. The products may be priced lower than the real Target website or other online retailers, or they may be advertised as exclusive or limited edition items. However, these products are either counterfeit, poor quality, damaged, or do not exist at all. The scammers may also use fake reviews, ratings, testimonials, or seals of approval to make their products seem more appealing and authentic.
When the victims proceed to checkout, they may be asked to enter their personal and financial information, such as their name, address, email, phone number, credit card number, expiration date, security code, and billing address. The scammers may also ask for additional information that is not required for online shopping, such as their social security number, driver’s license number, bank account number, or password. The scammers may use encryption or security logos to make their payment pages look secure and safe. However, once the victims submit their information, the scammers will either charge them for products that they will never receive or sell their information to other criminals who may use it for identity theft or fraud.
What to do if you have fallen victim to the Target Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam?
If you have fallen victim to the Target Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam, you should take immediate action to protect yourself and your money. Here are some steps you can take:
Contact your bank or credit card company and report the fraudulent transaction. Ask them to cancel your card and issue a new one. You may also be able to dispute the charge and get a refund.
Change your passwords and PINs for your online accounts, especially if you have used the same ones on the fake website.
Monitor your credit reports and bank statements for any suspicious activity or unauthorized charges.
Report the scam to Target’s customer service at 1-800-440-0680 or guest.service@target.com. Provide them with as much information as possible about the fake website and how you were contacted by the scammers.
Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. You can also file a complaint with your state attorney general’s office or consumer protection agency.
Report the scam to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov/. This is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center that collects and analyzes online fraud complaints.
Report the scam to Scamwatch at https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/. This is an Australian government website that provides information and advice on how to recognize and avoid scams.
The Target Fake Online Shopping Sites Scam is a serious threat that can cost you money and compromise your identity. To avoid falling for this scam, you should always shop from the official Target website at https://www.target.com/ or use their mobile app. You should also be wary of any unsolicited emails or messages that claim to offer deals or discounts from Target. Always check the sender’s address, the website’s URL, and the spelling and grammar of the message. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a website or an offer, you can contact Target’s customer service or do some research online before making a purchase. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
10 Rules to Avoid Online Scams
Here are 10 practical safety rules to help you avoid malware, online shopping scams, crypto scams, and other online fraud. Each tip includes a quick “if you already got hit” action.
Stop and verify before you click, log in, download, or pay.
Most scams win by creating urgency. Verify using a trusted method: type the website address yourself, use the official app, or call a known number (not the one in the message).
If you already clicked: close the page, do not enter passwords, and run a malware scan.
Keep your operating system, browser, and apps updated.
Updates patch security holes used by malware and malicious ads. Turn on automatic updates where possible.
If you saw a scary “update now” pop-up: close it and update only through your device settings or the official app store.
Use layered protection: antivirus plus an ad blocker.
Antivirus helps block malware. An ad blocker reduces scam redirects, phishing pages, and malvertising.
If your browser is acting weird: remove unknown extensions, reset the browser, then run a full scan.
Install apps, software, and extensions only from official sources.
Avoid cracked software, “keygens,” and random downloads. During installs, choose Custom/Advanced and decline bundled offers you do not recognize.
If you already installed something suspicious: uninstall it, restart, and scan again.
Treat links and attachments as untrusted by default.
Phishing often impersonates delivery services, banks, and popular brands. If it is unexpected, do not open attachments or log in through the message.
If you entered credentials: change the password immediately and enable 2FA.
Shop safely: research the store, then pay with protection.
Be cautious with brand-new stores, “closing sale” stories, and prices that make no sense. Prefer credit cards or PayPal for dispute options. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, and crypto payments.
If you already paid: contact your card issuer or PayPal quickly to dispute the transaction.
Crypto rule: never pay a “fee” to withdraw or recover money.
Common patterns include fake profits, then “tax,” “gas,” or “verification” fees. Another is a “recovery agent” who demands upfront crypto.
If you already sent crypto: stop paying, save evidence (wallet addresses, TXIDs, chats), and report the scam to the platform used.
Secure your accounts with unique passwords and 2FA (start with email).
Use a password manager and unique passwords for every account. Enable 2FA using an authenticator app when possible.
If you suspect an account takeover: change passwords, sign out of all devices, and review recent logins and recovery settings.
Back up important files and keep one backup offline.
Backups protect you from ransomware and device failure. Keep at least one backup on an external drive that is not always connected.
If you suspect infection: do not connect backup drives until the system is clean.
If you think you are a victim: stop losses, document evidence, and escalate fast.
Move quickly. Speed matters for disputes, account recovery, and limiting damage.
Stop payments and contact: do not send more money or respond to the scammer.
Call your bank or card issuer: block transactions, replace the card if needed, and start a dispute or chargeback.
Secure your email first: change the email password, enable 2FA, and remove unfamiliar recovery options.
Secure other accounts: change passwords, enable 2FA, and log out of all sessions.
Scan your device: remove suspicious apps or extensions, then run a full malware scan.
Save evidence: screenshots, emails, order pages, tracking pages, wallet addresses, TXIDs, and chat logs.
Report it: to the payment provider, marketplace, social platform, exchange, or wallet service involved.
These rules are intentionally simple. Most online losses happen when decisions are rushed. Slow down, verify independently, and use payment methods and account controls that give you recourse.
About Stelian
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.
