I believe I've been scammed, help getting my money back or investigate?

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

Multiple users report being scammed by fraudulent Shopify stores that take payments and then disappear from the platform. Common patterns include:

Red flags identified:

  • Stores using ‘.myshopify.com’ URLs instead of custom domains
  • Low order numbers (e.g., order #1001) indicating brand-new stores
  • Websites going offline shortly after purchases
  • No response to customer emails
  • No order confirmations or tracking information

Reported losses:

  • Individual amounts range from $56 to $550
  • Users mention stores like hobomon, tranquilsanas, lochenmow, biking4orever, and Packmania

Resolution attempts:

  • Most users successfully recovered funds through bank chargebacks or credit card fraud disputes
  • Shopify’s official response directs victims to contact their banks and report merchants via a form
  • However, reporting is difficult when store URLs become inactive (404 errors)

User frustration:

  • Many express lost trust in the Shopify platform
  • Complaints focus on lack of seller verification and buyer protection
  • Some mention potential class action investigation for consumer protection violations
  • Users feel Shopify provides support for merchants but not for scammed buyers

Status: Ongoing issue with no platform-level resolution; individual cases resolved through financial institutions.

Summarized with AI on October 23. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
9

Hi there, @Halstep !

Sorry to hear you’re facing this difficult situation.

While we’re not able to confirm if a given store is using Shopify, it should not be the case that a Shopify store would have access to your full card number or be able to withdraw more money than the price of the order you have confirmed you wish to make with that store.

I would advise you first to reach out to your card issuer, bank, etc in order to let them know what has happened and that you believe you have been charged incorrectly or illegitimately

If you believe the store you ordered from to be using Shopify in a manner which contravenes our Acceptable Use Policy, you can report an issue with a merchant using this form.