Fraud
Websites built to impersonate a brand, using a similar domain name and copied products.
- 01Domain registeredA name close to yours, like a typo, an extra word such as "outlet" or "sale", or a different ending.
- 02Store clonedYour logo, product photos and copy are copied onto the site.
- 03Traffic boughtAds and social posts send shoppers there, often with deep discounts.
- 04Shoppers payPayments and personal details go to the scammers.
- 05Brand blamedVictims get fakes or nothing, and complain to you.
- !Domains that combine your brand name with outlet, sale, store or a city
- !Ads using your product photos that link to a domain you don't own
- !Customers asking about orders you have no record of
- !Prices far below yours on sites using your branding
- !Spikes in complaints about counterfeit or undelivered items
What are lookalike domains?
Lookalike domains are websites built to impersonate a brand. They use a similar domain name, copy the brand’s products, photos and design, and take payments from shoppers who think they’re buying from the real store.
They’re cheap to set up and easy to replace, so one takedown is rarely the end. Operators often run many sites at once from the same hosting and payment setup.
Who it hits
Brands with strong demand and recognizable products, especially in apparel, footwear, outdoor gear, beauty and luxury.
What it costs
Lost sales, customer service time handling complaints about orders you never received, damaged trust, and the cost of finding and taking sites down.
How to prevent it
Monitor new domain registrations and ads that use your brand name.
File takedowns with registrars, hosts and ad platforms, with evidence.
Group sites by shared infrastructure so you take down the network, not one site.
Tell customers which domains are yours and how to report fakes.
FAQ
Can lookalike domains be taken down?
Yes. Registrars, hosting providers, payment processors and ad platforms can all remove them when given evidence of impersonation or trademark misuse.
How fast do they come back?
Often quickly, which is why tracking the people and infrastructure behind them matters more than any single domain.
How Pinch stops it
Brand Protection →
More terms
Fraud
Bricking
Stripping valuable parts from an electronic device and returning it as defective.
Read the definition →
Fraud
Counterfeit returns
Keeping the genuine product and returning a convincing fake in its place.
Read the definition →
Fraud
Empty boxing
Returning an empty box, or one filled with worthless material, and claiming the refund.
Read the definition →
Free lookback · for qualified brands
See what you lost last year. Free.
01
Share 12 months of data.
Install the Shopify app or SFCC cartridge, or send order, return and claim exports.
02
Get your lookback in under two weeks.
What you lost to return and claims abuse, and who took it.
03
Qualified brands try Pinch free for three months.
Run it on live orders, then decide.