Scamming Season Is Here: How to Spot Fake Products, Deals and Services Before It’s Too Late

Scammers are always active and they know exactly when people are more likely to let their guard down. As the shopping season heats up and inboxes fill with offers that seem too good to be true, fake products, deals and services are flooding the internet. These scams are not just annoying, they can cost consumers money, personal data and trust.

Here is what to watch out for and how to protect yourself.

Counterfeit products are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Scammers often steal real brand images, reviews and influencer content to make fake listings appear authentic.

Red flags to look for

If a product looks identical to a well known brand but the price feels unrealistic, it probably is.

Flash sales, exclusive discount codes and last chance offers are common pressure tactics used by scammers to rush consumers into quick decisions.

• Be cautious if the deal requires immediate payment or claims only minutes left
• Think twice if you are asked to pay via gift cards, wire transfer or crypto
• Take an extra second to check if the website clearly lists contact information and return policies

Legitimate brands rarely pressure customers into instant purchases without giving them time to verify.

Scammers often impersonate trusted brands, customer support teams or familiar social media personalities, especially in industries like travel, financial services and online subscriptions.

Watch for:

• Emails or texts asking you to verify personal or payment information
• Customer support accounts that reach out first through direct messages
• Email addresses or usernames that closely mimic real brands and influencers

When in doubt, go directly to a company’s official website instead of clicking links sent to you.

At Vermillio, TraceID helps brands and individuals monitor and protect their digital identity by detecting unauthorized use of their likeness across the internet. This includes identifying impersonation accounts, fake endorsements, misleading content and unauthorized product listings that misuse a brand’s name, logo or visual assets.

By tracking how and where this brand and celebrity likeness appears online, TraceID enables them to quickly identify potential fraud, take action against misuse and protect consumers from being misled by false representations.

For brands, this means stronger brand integrity, reduced risk of reputational damage and greater confidence that customers are engaging with authentic content and legitimate offers.

For talent, this means protection of your personal brand from scammers exploiting your name, face, or voice to deceive fans through fake endorsements, unauthorized merchandise, deepfakes, AI voice clones, and impersonation accounts—safeguarding your reputation, maintaining audience trust, and ensuring only you profit from your likeness.

Scammers rely on urgency, familiarity and distraction. Slowing down, double checking sources and trusting your instincts can make all the difference.

If a product, deal or service does not feel right, it’s probably not.