Instagram hosts a number of genuine sellers but also has its share of fake online stores. To avoid falling for a scam, the key is to take your time and assess the product as well as the seller objectively. Don’t fall into a scammer’s trap over a beautifully composed photograph – these are often stolen from other profiles. Your first step should be to look for the same product on other sites and if the seller is not genuine, you are likely to spot the same photo on one of these other sites.
You should also look for contact information so you can interact with the seller. Don’t be shy about asking questions with regard to the product. You can even ask for a photo of how it looks in natural light. Genuine sellers are generally happy to comply. Always ask for the Pay on Delivery option or use a platform that safeguards your money like PayPal to transfer payment. Fake sellers often draw users in by offering them amazing products at heavily marked down prices so be very wary of deals that seem too good to be true.