Topic summary
A user flagged a Shopify store using a New Mexico address (1209 Mountain Road Pl NE, Albuquerque) commonly associated with scams. The address belongs to a registered agent service offering virtual offices, which can serve legitimate businesses but is also frequently used by fraudsters and has been covered in local news for this association.
Key Points:
- The store owner confirmed using this address through a registered agent when forming their US LLC, stating they are now US-based
- Participants debated whether virtual/registered agent addresses alone indicate fraud, concluding they’re one factor among many
- Discussion evolved into broader criticism of Shopify’s fraud prevention efforts and the forum’s culture
Proposed Solutions:
- Chrome extension idea to flag suspicious website elements (fake reviews, dropshipping indicators, questionable addresses)
- Shopify implementing internal trust scores with manual review triggers for low-scoring stores
Unresolved Issues:
Participants expressed frustration that the forum prioritizes partner marketing over merchant protection, with minimal expectation that Shopify will enhance fraud prevention beyond legal minimums. The discussion highlights tension between legitimate business practices and widespread scam operations on the platform.
Hey @Howie10
What to do with all these scams 
But let us think first of a legitimate reason for that. You can buy a “virtual office” if you are outside US or just do not want to give your home address. A ligit reason. But also yes, scammers do use the same. Does not mean all on the same address are scammers.
If you search that address with quotes, you will get several Shopify stores, and they might all be scams, but other things should be checked, not just the address.
I asked ChatGPT for that address and it found it could be
Registered agent addresses
In the US, every LLC or corporation must have a “registered agent” address in the state of formation. Thousands of companies can share that same address—it belongs to the agent, not the company itself.
And “New Mexico Registered Agent advertises a “Virtual Office” service at 1209 Mountain Road Pl NE, Ste H, Albuquerque, NM 87110”
@Tellwho could be a legitimate business owner, with a virtual address or registered agent address.
So @Tellwho if you want to comment, it could help out in the discussion.
A virtual address may be legal, that doesn’t mean they’re not a scammer. The totality of circumstances points to fraud. That specific “agent” address is notorious for being associated with fraudsters. Their local news has even covered it. It’s not the sole identifier but it is a considering factor.
I’m actually thinking about a Chrome extension that identifies specific elements in a website and warns the user of potential fraud or misleading. Like alibaba images or having fake review blocks. These addresses might be a useful indicator as well.
When will Shopify (or the professionals here) do more for prevention? This board just seems to want to feed the fraud. And these ppl have absolutely no qualms about dropshipping. The worst business practice on the internet and they are like yes do it lie to the customer. It’s shameful. Not one of these “partners” would actually buy something from a no-name dropshipping site with fake reviews and a fake address. But they will sure get that like and solution. It’s pathetic.
Yep, does not mean they are not scammers.
And I wanted to make a Chrome extension too Started something but as side, side project, it waits. And it is not a bad idea, but it would be better if Shopify had this on its side. Small bar with trust score, maybe, only if it is low. They could do that internally and have daily/weekly checks, and if the score is low, manually check and disable checkout/payments.
But as an extension, people should get it before getting scammed once. But also, if they do get scammed, it can help. Some sites do look legit.
Hey! That is my address yes, which was given to me when I opened an llc in the usa via a registered agent.
Thank you for your reply.
If I may ask, you opened LLC to target bigger market like US is, but do you share with your customers where your company is originally from?
I am based in the US, I just wasn’t when I was forming the LLC.
Already exists, things like web-of-trust etc
And just plain adblockers.
If you haven’t noticed support has all but pulled stakes and perverse incentives are ramping up like partner-tiers meaning getting a collabcode immediately is all that matters regardless of forum guidelines.
It will only ever be just near the bare legal minimum and if it’s ever required to be more than that they’d just close the forum.
The forums are a marketing bullet point, a funnel, not actual merchant support.
While most new merchants/posters are under the mistaken foolishness, you could even say planted idea, that creating a business means everything can be done by others for free with no idea they are training themselves to be in a form of helplessness, and to be farmed if not outright scammed.
Ignore those that are suckers by default, speak past them to those who come later and matter, for even if you explain it a sucker most will just resent you for disillusionment.
Shopify has regularly “endorsed” dropshipping “gurus”.
Save your breath, not even tarrif wars are gonna slow the grifts it HELPS the wealth transfer.