An Irish-sounding shop, “.ie” domain or CRO number does not guarantee an online retailer is based in Ireland or will deliver. Identify the legal seller, verify its company or business-name record, check independent contact and domain evidence, read delivery/returns terms and use a payment method with appropriate protection.
Before you pay
Find the trader’s legal name, physical address, phone and email. If it claims to be an Irish company, match the CRO number to the same legal entity. If you cannot identify who takes your money, buy elsewhere.
A 12-point online shop check
- Identify the trader. Check terms, privacy, returns and checkout pages for the legal name.
- Find the location. A .ie domain does not prove the trader is based in Ireland.
- Verify the CRO number. Match name, status and incorporation date if the seller is a company.
- Check the business name. A sole trader or company may trade under another registered name.
- Test contact details. Look for a physical address, working phone and domain-based email.
- Inspect the domain and site. Be cautious with a newly created or copied-looking site.
- Read independent reviews. Check several sources and the dates/pattern—not only testimonials on the shop.
- Compare price realistically. Extreme discounts and countdown urgency are common scam tactics.
- Read delivery and returns. Find origin, times, costs, cancellation and return address.
- Check the checkout. Confirm the merchant and payment processor are consistent with the seller.
- Use protected payment. Avoid cryptocurrency, gift cards or direct transfer to an unexplained person.
- Save evidence. Keep product pages, order confirmation, terms and communications.
Find the company behind the shop
Look in the footer, terms and conditions, privacy notice, returns policy and order confirmation. Search the legal name or CRO number rather than only the brand. If the website claims a long Irish history but the company was formed very recently, ask whether a predecessor business exists and who is responsible for the sale.
A genuine CRO result confirms a company record—not control of the website, stock ownership, delivery performance or product safety. Fraudsters can copy real company details. Contact the company using independently sourced information if the transaction is significant or details conflict.
What an online trader should tell you
CCPC guidance says an online business must provide clear pre-contract information including its name, physical address, phone number and email, product/service details, total price and extra charges, delivery information and cancellation rights. You should also receive an order or contract confirmation in a durable form such as email.
| Information | Why it matters | Warning |
|---|---|---|
| Legal trader name | Identifies who owes consumer obligations | Only a generic brand or social handle |
| Physical address | Shows location and return/enforcement route | No address, a copied address or mail drop presented as a shop |
| Total price and charges | Lets you assess the full contract | Unexpected customs, subscription or delivery fees |
| Delivery terms | Sets timing and origin expectations | Claims of Irish stock but overseas tracking |
| Cancellation/returns | Explains how to exercise rights | Copied, contradictory or impossible return policy |
| Seller on marketplace | Distinguishes platform from actual trader | Unclear whether the seller is a business or consumer |
Common fake-shop signals
- social-media ads for luxury or branded products at implausible prices;
- a supposedly Irish shop with no Irish trader identity;
- site policies containing another company’s name;
- only messaging-app contact or a generic free email;
- countdown timers and “closing today” claims that reset;
- reviews that are all recent, generic or repeated across products;
- unusual payment such as crypto, gift cards or personal bank transfer;
- checkout redirected to an unrelated merchant;
- requests for passport, PPS number or unnecessary identity data;
- tracking from outside the EU despite claims of local stock.
Dropshipping is not automatically fraud
Dropshipping means the seller accepts the order while another supplier dispatches the goods. It can be a legitimate fulfilment model, but consumers may face long delivery, quality differences, overseas returns and difficult enforcement. The trader still needs to provide accurate information and meet applicable consumer obligations.
Check where goods ship from, who bears customs/return costs, and whether product-safety and conformity information is available. An Irish marketing story should not hide the actual trader and supply route.
Your online cancellation rights
CCPC guidance states that consumers buying most goods or services online from a business generally have a 14-day cooling-off period, subject to exceptions and detailed rules. The period and return steps depend on whether goods or services are involved. Keep evidence that you notified the trader.
Rights can be harder to enforce against traders outside Ireland and the EU. Confirm location before buying, not after a problem. Consumer protections also differ when buying from a private individual rather than a trader.
Safer payment choices
Use the platform’s official secure payment method or a reputable payment option with appropriate dispute procedures. Do not move off-platform because a seller offers a discount. If paying by card, your provider may offer chargeback in relevant circumstances, but it is not automatic and time limits or evidence requirements apply.
For a location-led alternative, read our practical guide to buying and selling locally through LocalAds.ie, including inspection, seller checks and marketplace safety steps.
If goods do not arrive or the shop disappears
- contact the trader in writing and keep the response;
- use the marketplace or payment-provider dispute process;
- contact your bank/card provider immediately about available action;
- preserve order, advertisement, terms, messages and payment evidence;
- report suspected fraud to An Garda Síochána;
- report misleading trader practices to the CCPC;
- change passwords if the same password was reused or credentials were exposed.
Company status is only one part of the check
A normal company status is not a quality mark, consumer guarantee or live-trading confirmation. A dissolved or strike-off-listed entity is a serious inconsistency if it claims to be the current seller, but verify whether another entity operates the shop. Learn more in our guides to checking if an Irish company is legitimate, legal vs trading names and current trading evidence.
Sources and editorial review
This guide was reviewed on 20 August 2026 against CCPC guidance on fake online shops, buying online and online trader traceability, plus Garda online-shopping fraud guidance and CRO data guidance. It is general consumer information, not legal advice.