How can I report a fraudulent Shopify store?

Topic summary

Multiple Shopify store owners and customers report frustration over fraudulent stores operating on the platform with no clear reporting mechanism. Common scam patterns include:

Typical fraud tactics:

  • Selling counterfeit or misrepresented products (phone cases, electronics, clothing)
  • Shipping broken, unbranded, or completely different items than advertised
  • Refusing refunds despite stated policies, offering only store credit
  • Deleting negative comments on social media
  • Using stolen product images from legitimate businesses
  • Operating multiple duplicate sites simultaneously

Reporting methods identified:

  • File chargebacks with credit card companies (high chargeback volumes trigger Shopify’s Risk team investigation)
  • Use Shopify’s Acceptable Use Policy violation form for non-delivery or intellectual property infringement
  • Report to FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
  • Contact Shopify support directly through account menu

Ongoing concerns:

  • Fraudulent stores quickly reappear under new names after takedowns
  • Approximately 40% of Shopify stores may be scams according to one cited study
  • Legitimate store owners worry the platform’s reputation suffers, with some considering migration to other platforms
  • The ease of setting up Shopify stores enables rapid fraud proliferation

The discussion remains open with no systemic solution from Shopify addressed.

Summarized with AI on November 2. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.

So, were you not able to do it from this website?
https://www.shopify.com/legal/report-aup-violation