Biliabong.shop is a shopping site that can be found on several widely used social media sites, including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. It is promoted as an online store that sells discounted items.
This website offers substantial discounts on its products, attracting potential customers. Although purchasing from such websites may be appealing due to the deals and discounts, be careful while making purchases online, as online store scams have become more common.
Is Biliabong.shop a safe online store to shop from? Unfortunately, this is a scam website, not a trustworthy online store. Scammers frequently advertise sales and discounts in advertisements in order to grab the attention of potential victims like you.
Buying from these online stores will lead to a financial loss. If you order from them, you could get an empty box, a different product, or a knockoff version of the item you ordered.
Knowing the various red flags on a website may help you avoid scams. Fake online stores, such as Biliabong.shop, often use a single website template, implying that other fraudulent online stores share the same design.
Another indication is a message that appears in the corner of a screen. It typically displays recent orders from users worldwide. However, this is just an elaborate scheme to create the impression that they run a legitimate online store.
Knowing how easy it is to create a website now, scammers set up numerous legitimate-looking online shops. As a result, it is more difficult to determine whether you are purchasing from a legitimate or deceptive online store.
Furthermore, scammers copy the website designs of well-known and trustworthy companies like Wayfair, Amazon, Nike, and others. They often refer to these websites as an outlet for the brand, but this is incorrect.
When you come across these types of websites and would like to make a purchase, avoid them and instead go to the brand’s official website.
What will happen if you order from Biliabong.shop?
Ordering from a fraudulent online store requires you to provide personal information such as your email address, phone number, full name, and credit card information. Giving such information to untrustworthy websites is extremely dangerous.
Doing this step is crucial, as falling for scams like these can lead to severe consequences. These fraudulent stores do not encrypt your private information, in contrast to trustworthy payment gateways used by legitimate companies.
Scammers have easy access to the information you provide. Once they have your data, there are a number of possible outcomes, the most common of which are listed below.
A. Unauthorized transactions using your credit card
One possible situation involves your bank and credit card security. Scammers may use your credit card without your knowledge if it's not properly secured or if you provided too much information in the shipping form. That is, unless you check your bank's financial statements often.
Remember, these scammers do not have secure payment gateways, so the seemingly standard credit card form is actually a cleverly designed question form. It is not the usual credit card form found in reputable online stores; it contains the information required for them to make use of your credit card.
Everything you enter becomes accessible to them, which includes your credit card information. This could result in unauthorized purchases on your credit card for expensive items.
You will notice that someone else is using your card to buy pricey products, especially if you took advantage of those unreal half-price deals.
Fortunately, if your purchases exceed your typical spending habits, your bank may contact you to confirm the transactions. This can help prevent future unauthorized purchases with your credit card.
B. Possibility of identity theft
As soon as scammers gather enough information about you, they can engage in identity theft, in which they pretend to be you for their own malicious purposes. This can lead to financial loss, reputational damage, and a number of other undesirable outcomes.
Having your identity and privacy taken by an unknown person is even worse than having them revealed, especially if they intend to use your information maliciously.
They can obtain a bank loan in your name by using the information you provided, avoiding payment and leaving you with the burden of paying back the debt at a later date. There are many more ways they could use your identity against you; this is just one example.
For example, once scammers get hold of your email address, they could use it to target you directly with phishing attacks in an attempt to force you to comply with their demands.
These phishing emails may come in many forms, including impersonating your employer or a popular platform. They may claim that there are problems with your account or that you won some sort of prize.
It is critical to recognize and ignore these messages. In some cases, these phishing emails can appear to be extremely accurate, even knowing your name and the accounts you own. Even though this may not be identity theft, it's still dangerous.
C. You will not receive anything
A very likely scenario is receiving nothing at all. After paying on the Biliabong.shop website, you'll be given a fake tracking number. Tracking won't show progress even after months because it's not even real.
The decision to deliver or not is entirely up to the scammer; in many cases, they don't even bother since they have already stolen your money.
If you question the delayed delivery, they'll offer excuses like supply shortages or delays and ask for patience. Asking for a refund leads to them ignoring your messages completely.
If you ask about the delayed delivery, they will respond with excuses such as shortages of supplies or complications and ask for patience. And when you contact them to ask for a refund, they will simply ignore your messages.
With the exception of Black Friday, avoid falling for big discounts on expensive products, as these are often scams.
D. You will receive a counterfeit product
Purchasing significantly discounted items from Biliabong.shop often results in disappointment. Unreasonably low prices suggest an unreliable business model, as such discounts often result in the business going bankrupt, which means that these deals are unrealistic.
While there is a slim chance you will receive a product, it will not be what was advertised on the website. Rather, you may receive a poorly made, faulty, or incomplete item.
Typos in product names are often seen on such websites, pointing out the counterfeit nature of these products. Your best option for avoiding these kinds of issues is to purchase from the original website.
E. You will receive a different product
Scam stores, such as Biliabong.shop, have the advantage of knowing what they will send you and are unbothered about their reputation, as fraudulent online stores usually have a short lifespan.
Most fraudulent websites do not last more than a year, given that it is relatively easy to start a new one.
They'll replace your order with a cheap, low-quality product that often costs less than what you paid for the shown "discounted" product.
This is an obvious red flag and should not be trusted. If you are enticed by a half-priced Apple Watch, expect to receive a completely different product, such as a normal wristwatch. They may also deliver something that looks like an Apple Watch but is actually from an unknown brand.
What are the indicators of a fraudulent online store?
Considering the severe consequences of online scams, it's important to avoid falling for them, as those who are affected may experience long-term mental and financial difficulties.
To help prevent others from falling victim to fake online stores such as Biliabong.shop, here are some warning signs of a scam store that you should stay away from immediately.
Poor and unprofessional website design
Some scam websites have appealing layouts and designs, but not all of them do. This is a significant warning sign since efficient web design requires a significant investment. Brands invest heavily in developing appealing sites that attract users.
On the contrary, scammers lack the ability to create such appealing designs. However, they may use the same effective template across multiple scam sites. Recognizing reused templates from previously discovered scam sites indicates that the online store is fraudulent.
Design is not the only indicator; grammar is equally important. Legitimate online stores prioritize error-free grammar, which scammers from all over the world may find difficult to master.
While many people can speak English, not everyone does so fluently. When determining a site's legitimacy, it's best to check product descriptions and other pages for errors.
If you notice image placement errors, such as overlays or elements that do not fit properly, it indicates that the website's padding is flawed, which is a clear red flag.
View the website in different screen sizes to determine its level of functionality. Try reducing the browser width to see if the website is still optimized or if the layout breaks when switching to a mobile screen.
Unrealistic discounts and offers
A great deal may be appealing, but an extremely generous offer often comes with a catch. The difference between a 10% and a 90% discount is clear enough to raise concerns, unless your greed takes over.
Scammers take advantage of human psychology by setting up fake online stores or selling items at ridiculously low prices on reputable marketplaces. As previously stated, in both cases, you may receive counterfeit goods or nothing at all.
These discounts are often accompanied by a time limit, forcing users to act quickly in fear of missing out on a great deal. However, this is just one example of how scammers use human psychology.
In the past, suspiciously low prices indicated replicas or counterfeits. However, counterfeits are now disguised as legitimate products, employing tactics such as false clearance sales.
Limited payment options: Particularly credit card-only sites
Even if an online store, such as Biliabong.shop, only accepts credit and debit cards, you should proceed with caution. Scammers also use this payment method exclusively, but it is not always so simple.
While some fake stores accept PayPal and other payment methods, they still scam customers by failing to deliver products. Other scammers steal the user's credit card instead because it allows them to access larger amounts than fixed fake discounts.
Combining these red flags results in a fraudulent shop that users should avoid. Also, make sure that the checkout page is encrypted using a secure gateway rather than just a form.
To confirm, look for third-party payment options such as Alibaba Pay or PayPal at the bottom of the page.
For the tech-savvy, you can inspect elements by right-clicking to assess outbound and inbound connections. Look for secure destinations, such as payment gateways.
Unsecured Website (Lacks HTTPS & Browser Warnings)
If your browser marks a website as fraudulent or suggests you avoid it, take the warning. Doing so protects both your money and yourself. Modern browsers recognize fraud patterns and warn users who attempt to visit such sites.
Be wary of a browser URL that does not include HTTPS. HTTPS secures data through encryption. However, keep in mind that HTTPS is not the only indicator of legitimacy; it is only the beginning.
Scammers use HTTPS in order to appear more credible than Google's non-HTTPS flags. Legitimacy is not based just on surface observations.
There is more to assessing the safety of a website than HTTPS. Surprisingly, some legitimate online stores do not use HTTPS. While exceptions do exist, caution should be exercised. Even if a website appears credible without HTTPS, users should proceed with caution at all times.
No traffic data and website metrics
Longevity often indicates legitimacy; however, for Biliabong.shop, assessing this aspect is a red flag in and of itself since, according to our analysis, it has received little traffic and lacks internet authority.
Why is this information so important? With so many online stores, a significant number of them are scams. Comprehensive research is required, which we will handle for you in this case.
To get started, analyzing website metrics reveals that a newly launched site does not automatically attract traffic. Biliabong.shop is no different. As of the time of writing, the traffic data for almost every recently created online shopping scam is listed below.
According to the latest data from Semrush, the website has minimal activity, with little to no traffic and no keywords ranking in search results. Here's an explanation for each metric in this data:
1. Authority Score: This metric measures a website's relevance and reliability. A low authority score indicates newness and lower search result rankings. In contrast, a higher score indicates trustworthiness and expertise. The score for this website is n/a, which suggests a lack of authority and is thus untrustworthy.
2. Backlinks: These are links from other websites that lead to the website in question. Given the fact that this site is promoted through skeptical live streams and advertisements, a few backlinks are to be expected. However, backlinks do not confirm a website's legitimacy or authority.
3. Organic/Paid Search Traffic: This metric tracks the number of visitors to and from a website. The lack of data indicates little to no incoming and outgoing traffic. It implies that the number of visitors is not enough for accurate measurement, resulting in a low user count.
The majority of metrics are zero, which strongly indicates illegitimacy and raises red flags, implying that the website is a scam.
If you've engaged with the site or were about to purchase a product, taking safety measures becomes necessary whenever money is involved.
As a result, we've created an in-depth guide to help you avoid scams like the fake Biliabong.shop online store, outlining what to do before, during, and after your encounter.
Steps to verify the legitimacy of an online store
Identifying a scam store website becomes easier if we consider all of the highlighted warning signs.
However, in the midst of thousands of low-traffic stores, it is important to take into account that some scams exist alongside legitimate businesses seeking to establish an online presence.
Verify the contact information provided
An additional red flag to keep an eye on is the contact information provided by the business owner. Most websites have a contact page, but scammers who want to hide their identity frequently use false physical addresses, telephone numbers, and company names.
To confirm this information, see if the website provides a physical address and enter it into Google Maps or Earth to make sure it is not a random location.
You can also call the phone number given to see if someone answers. To determine the legitimacy of a product or service, ask questions about it. If you receive uncertain or uninformed responses, it's most likely a scam.
A helpful trick is to use an ellipsis to search for the company's LTD name or location on Google. For example, "Company LTD" If multiple results appear, it indicates that several stores are using the same name, increasing the possibility of a scam.
Using this method for the address can also help; if a large number of search results appear, the provided address is most likely fake, and all search results related to that location are fraudulent.
Make sure the website's terms and policies are easily understood
Did you know that most fraudulent schemes present investors with excessively complicated investment strategies that seem senseless?
The degree of complexity creates a sense of legitimacy. By making something difficult to comprehend, it becomes difficult to question. This also applies to fraudulent online stores.
A similar principle holds true when reviewing a website's cancellation policy and purchase terms. If the policy is overly detailed, with conditions such as time limits or specific requirements, and provides no clear answer, it is most likely a scam. These complex terms are frequently violated when you purchase a product.
For example, they could apply a 14-day refund policy. However, if three weeks have passed and your item has still not arrived, they will claim that refunds are only available within the first 14 days; this is because they had planned to deceive you from the start.
Check the website's domain age and registration details
Checking how long a website has been online is a reliable method to identify a scam store. Examining the website's domain age could reveal that it is only a week old.
It's important to note that most fake online stores don't last long. They often shut down their websites early, sometimes within a year. So a website's short domain age could indicate that it is a suspicious online store.
This is suspicious because organic traffic does not come in just a few days after a site's launch, given that Google takes months to index new sites. This traffic is most likely the result of social media advertisements, which attract potential victims to these scam products.
Therefore, the next time you come across such a store, check its domain age to determine whether you can trust a newly launched website with your money.
You can use the Whois domain lookup tool to determine a website's domain age. Simply enter the website's name, and you will receive its details, including the registration date and owner information if privacy is not enabled.
Search for online reviews about the store
Before making a purchase, you would read user reviews to learn about the product's quality and expectations. The same is true for fraudulent online stores such as Biliabong.shop. Conduct thorough research by looking for online reviews of the website and feedback from customers.
You can find reliable reviews on Trustpilot; you can also look through shopping-related forums and subreddits to gain insight from others who have purchased from the site.
When it comes to these kinds of shopping scams, there are at least three possible scenarios for reviews and feedback on the specific website:
A. Positive reviews from bots
Biliabong.shop may display a large number of positive reviews, leading you to assume it is legitimate. However, be cautious because these reviews are most probably generated by bots controlled by scammers.
Bot-generated reviews can be easily identified. They typically follow a distinct pattern, such as usernames containing a few digits.
Furthermore, the review content is typically brief, with generic praises like "Nice product, I am very satisfied" or "This is actually legit." These reviews lack thoroughness and meaningful context.
B. Negative reviews from victims
The website may be bombarded with negative reviews written by people who were tricked into purchasing from a fake online store. These reviews often contain personal experiences, warning others not to visit, interact with, or deposit money at the site.
These genuine, lengthy reviews share first-hand experiences, serving as important warnings about the risks of the fake store. This is common when a scam site has been operating for a while, ripping off a large number of users.
C. No reviews at all
In certain instances, Biliabong.shop may not be reviewed or mentioned anywhere. When faced with this situation, it is wise to proceed with caution.
Having no feedback can indicate that the website is relatively new and has not yet been discovered by a significant number of people. Therefore, the website is untrustworthy, and it is entirely likely that it is a scam.
Why take the risk of losing money on an unfamiliar website? Being the very first to write a negative review of the website is an unpleasant opportunity. When something is unknown and unheard of, it is best to stay away to avoid financial loss.
How to protect yourself from Biliabong.shop
Identifying key indicators of fraudulent online stores is important, but protecting yourself from their risks is even more crucial.
Our top priority is to keep your hard-earned money out of the hands of online scammers. To prevent this from happening, we are committed to providing you with the necessary tools and approaches.
The steps and methods outlined below will fully prepare you for encounters with sites such as Biliabong.shop.
If you have made a purchase, contact your bank immediately
If you accidentally purchased something from Biliabong.shop before reading this article, you can still take action. Contact the bank that issued your credit card and report the unauthorized purchase.
Even if the money has already been deducted from your bank account or billed to your credit card, you are still able to recover the money through a chargeback.
A chargeback is basically a request made by a credit card provider to the retailer to repay the loss caused by a fraudulent or questioned transaction, such as the one you carried out on Biliabong.shop.
Once the bank confirms the scam, you should receive your money back within a few days. Since your card information was exposed as a result of the Biliabong.shop website, you can temporarily freeze your card to prevent scammers from using it.
Freezing your credit card will instantly stop any additional transactions. In some cases, it may be better to get a new credit card and deactivate the existing one.
Although this may seem like an extreme measure, it can save you a considerable sum of money in the long term. Being extremely cautious in such circumstances is never a bad idea.
Take note that the fake online store's payment gateway was not secure; scammers carefully designed it to steal your information.
Keep an eye out for phishing attempts
It is natural that you will have to provide your email address and phone number when signing up for such websites. Unfortunately, online scammers may sell this information to other fraudulent individuals.
They use it to send phishing emails and, in some cases, text messages if you give them your phone number during registration.
These scammers take advantage of every chance they get, usually selling the data on the dark web or to other scammers who profit from the email address lists.
Do not click on emails that appear unexpectedly from unknown sources. If the content causes panic, such as account breaches or issues, it is most likely a phishing scam. These scammers use panic psychology to manipulate users into taking specific actions, which typically include:
A. Pushing you to click a button or link in the email. These scam emails usually promise to fix problems. A phishing email, for example, might claim that there are problems with your Amazon account and ask you to click a button to resolve or verify the problem. This takes you to a bogus Amazon page where they collect your information, potentially permitting unauthorized access if you do not have 2FA.
B. Forcing you to open an attachment from an email. This happens when scammers pretend to be colleagues or send attachments for immediate inspection. Unknown sender names in your company are a common red flag. These attachments frequently contain malware, which compromises your computer and breaches your privacy by stealing data.
C. Demanding money via transfer or cryptocurrency payment. In instances of sextortion or blackmail emails, scammers claim to have sensitive files on your computer. While these emails may appear persuasive, they are mass-sent with the intention of tricking recipients. Do not send money to scammers because their claims are untrue under any circumstances.
Enable two-factor authentication on all accounts
Two-factor authentication (2FA) improves the security of logins by requiring more verification steps, particularly when accessing an account from an unfamiliar device.
Simply put, 2FA guarantees that even if someone obtains your login information, they are unable to access your account without an additional verification step.
Two-factor authentication provides an extra layer of security. Social media platforms, as well as Google accounts, typically request a verification code sent to the device you are using. Banking applications and other essential applications even allow you to use biometrics, such as facial recognition or fingerprint scans, for greater security.
2FA is required for all accounts to protect your identity and prevent unauthorized access, regardless of the account's content. Your account represents you, and it is essential to keep strangers out. Only the true owner must have access, as shown during login.
Two-factor authentication is used not only for new device logins but also when the account owner's actions need to be confirmed. To enable 2FA, navigate to the platform or website's Settings section.
Report the scam to prevent others from falling victim
Lastly, but not least, reporting the fraudulent activity is the most important step. Congratulations on avoiding these fraudulent online stores.
However, some users may not be so fortunate and fall victim. This could result in significant financial losses and a complicated recovery process. These unfortunate outcomes can be prevented easily by simply reporting the scam.
By doing so, you help authorities detect fraudulent sites like Biliabong.shop and ensure that they block them to prevent others from falling victim.
Don't know where to report an online scam? Feel free to use the links we've provided below.
- Google Safe Browsing: Report a Phishing (Link)
- Internet Crime Complaint Center: File a Complaint (Link)
- Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud (Link)
Additionally, we've put together an entire directory of where to report online scams, which includes anti-scam organizations from different countries.
To make your report more useful to the authorities, include detailed information. You've done your research; send it to the appropriate channels and let them take action.
Bottom Line
You can prevent purchasing counterfeit products and stop scammers from using your identity and credit card by being aware of warning indicators and taking the appropriate steps for verification.
When shopping, look for reputable stores with positive online reviews and a strong online presence. However, this does not mean you should avoid new businesses; instead, be cautious and conduct extensive research before making a purchase.
May your online shopping be safe and successful, delivering high-quality goods right to your door with your hard-earned money.
