Scam Alert: How I Got Tricked by a Fake Online Store & What You Can Do to Protect Yourself

Posted on March 31, 2025

We all love a good deal, but sometimes a “too good to be true” price is exactly that—a scam. Recently, I had an experience that serves as a cautionary tale for anyone shopping online, especially through social media ads. I want to share what happened so you can recognize the warning signs and avoid the hassle of dealing with fraudulent charges.

The Setup: A Deal That Was Too Good to Be True

It all started when I came across a product I was interested in on Facebook—the SilkyGlow 2-in-1 Body Shaver. Instead of clicking the ad, I decided to do my due diligence and went directly to the website (Vivashopworld.com) to check if it was legit. At first glance, everything seemed professional—the website looked clean, and the product had an incredibly low price of $4.90 with free shipping. That “free shipping” hook was what sealed the deal for me.

I made the purchase, but as soon as the transaction processed, an unexpected $21.95 charge for expedited shipping appeared. There was no option to remove this fee—it was automatically added after I had already agreed to the purchase. That was my first red flag.

The Runaround: When a "Refund" Isn’t Really a Refund

Realizing I had been duped, I immediately called the customer service number listed on the website. A woman answered and agreed that I could receive a refund since I hadn’t knowingly opted into the extra shipping cost. However, she told me another team member would need to call me back to process it. Spoiler alert: that call never came.

Instead, I later received an email from Ionaskin.com—a completely different company—flat-out denying my refund request. That’s when I knew I was dealing with something bigger than just bad customer service.

The Unauthorized Charge & The Aftermath

The next day, I checked my bank account and saw an unauthorized charge of $42.95 from Trubenshop.com—another unfamiliar name connected to this scam. I hadn’t made another purchase, yet somehow, they had access to my payment details.

At that point, I knew I had to take action. I called my bank immediately and explained the situation. They confirmed that disputing charges you technically “authorized” is more difficult, but not impossible—especially when the business operates deceptively.

Since the second charge was completely unauthorized, I was advised to come into the branch to file a formal dispute and get a new debit card issued. In the meantime, the bank froze my account to prevent further fraudulent activity. That step alone saved me from potential repeat charges.

Lessons Learned: How to Protect Yourself from Similar Scams

After dealing with this mess, I did some research and found that this is their entire scam model—luring people in with ridiculously low prices, sneaking in extra charges, denying refunds, and then billing additional amounts without permission.

Here’s how you can avoid falling for these types of scams:

✔ Always research the company before buying. Look up reviews on Trustpilot, BBB, and scam-reporting websites before making a purchase. I did this after the fact and saw plenty of warnings from others who got scammed the same way.

✔ Watch out for forced fees after checkout. If a company suddenly adds extra charges after you’ve confirmed a price, that’s a huge red flag.

✔ Check if the website is newly created. Many scam sites pop up overnight. Use Whois Lookup to see how long the domain has been registered. If it’s only been around for a few months, be cautious.

✔ Use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards have stronger fraud protection, making it easier to dispute charges.

✔ Monitor your account after a sketchy transaction. If you realize you’ve been scammed, check for additional unauthorized charges. Scammers often store your payment details for repeat fraud.

✔ If you get scammed, act fast. Call your bank immediately to freeze your card, dispute charges, and prevent further unauthorized transactions.

Final Thoughts: Stay Smart, Stay Safe

Scammers are getting smarter, but so can we. The best defense is staying informed, questioning deals that seem too good to be true, and knowing what steps to take if you get caught in a scam. If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need help investigating fraud, Top Priority Investigations is here to assist.

Stay vigilant, and don’t let scammers win!