Legit Check: How to Know If You're Buying Authentic Goods from Online Stores

In recent years, we’ve seen online shopping take the Philippines by storm, with convenience, near-infinite variety, and awesome deals only a few taps away. Thanks to better payment systems, digital infrastructure, and logistics, online shopping has transformed from a once-in-a-while activity to an everyday reality.

On the flip side, this boom has also escalated the long-running problem of counterfeit goods. Just as they have offline, knockoff products have flooded online marketplaces, accounting for 2.5% of all global trade. Unfortunately, the anonymized nature of e-commerce makes it more difficult to verify the authenticity of goods and hundreds of Filipino shoppers fall victim to scams daily.

In local online communities, the term "legit check" has become a common request by buyers looking to authenticate their purchases. Over time, enthusiasts of unique goods have also developed checklists and methods to spot fakes, offering their knowledge to buyers who are willing to listen. However, counterfeiters have also become smarter, and it has thus become harder to tell real from fake.

To ensure you're getting your money’s worth, we’ve got some tips to help you avoid scams and score authentic goods from online stores. Keep these in mind before tapping that "Add to Cart" button.

1. Stick With Official Stores and Authorized RetailersBuying directly from the source is the best way to avoid fakes. If the item you want is from a major brand, get it from the official website or verified flagship stores on e-commerce platforms. Don’t get them from third-party sellers unless you can be sure that they’re fully vetted.

If you do want to buy from a third-party seller, be sure to use the safest credit card for online shopping to limit your risk. In particular, look for cards like the Landers Cashback Everywhere credit card by Maya that lets you set spending limits for various types of transactions (including online purchases); has a dynamic CVV code that changes whenever your card details are viewed; and allows you to permanently block your card in case of fraud or other suspicious activities—all through the Maya app.

2. Look for Seller Verification Badges and Positive RatingsUnfortunately, not all brands have a website that we can buy from. In these cases, you’ll have to look for officially licensed sellers on platforms like Shopee, Lazada, Amazon, and the like. Officially sanctioned sellers will often have a verification badge as well as credentials that can be checked on the brand’s site or through email. You can also look at ratings and reviews from real buyers to check the store’s credibility.

3. Watch Out for Red FlagsListings with vague descriptions, stock images, or inconsistencies in branding aren’t necessarily fake—but these aren’t good signs either. Authentic businesses that care about the brands they carry will usually go the extra mile and provide detailed product information as well as beautifully photos of the product being used in context. Likewise, AI-generated or fake reviews can be red flags that indicate a counterfeit, low-quality product.

4. Compare The Listing Prices with Official RetailersAs always, if a deal seems too good to be true, then it almost certainly is. Product prices from third-party sellers should not deviate too drastically from the asking price on the official website, even across international markets. If you see huge discounts on high-end brands outside of official websites, they’re usually dead giveaways of scams.

5. Always Dive Into Customer Reviews and FeedbackA product’s “stars” aren’t enough to prove their authenticity. Whatever platform you’re on, these ratings can be easily manipulated in either direction. Rather than take these at face value, dive deeper and look for customer reviews with real photos and detailed feedback. If you’re not on the official site and the reviews are mostly generic, overly positive, or suspiciously similar, chances are the item is counterfeit.

6. Look for Guaranteed Returns and RefundsUnless the product is something like perishables or underwear, legitimate sellers will not give you any problems with returns and refunds. If the seller offers these with minimal hassles, that’s usually a good sign that they’re offering the genuine items.

7. Ask for Proof of AuthenticityFor high-value items, makers will often include certificates or exclusive gifts that attest to their authenticity. Many brands also incorporate security features like holograms, RFID tags, or QR codes as guarantees. Some niche products may also have very specific details that are difficult to fake that should be checked on the product photos. If a seller is unwilling to provide proof, they should be avoided.

8. Analyze Product Packaging and LabelsCounterfeiters make cash by pumping out high volumes of products at low margins. This often means that they have to cut corners, not just in the product itself but also in the packaging. Flimsy-looking boxes, misspellings, and a lack of any traceable serial numbers can be a giveaway of a fake.

9. Be Skeptical of “Overstock”, “Class A”, ”Factory Reject" ClaimsThanks to modern inventory management methods, legitimate brands rarely have excess stock available for resale. You might be able to find excess stock at factory outlets or online stores, but the days of brands releasing large amounts of excess stock to unauthorized resellers are largely over. Be very wary of those keywords when they pop up on a listing, especially on highly desirable items.

10. Verify Seller Contact InformationLegitimate businesses provide valid contact details, particularly phone numbers and physical addresses. Fake sellers often hide behind anonymous accounts and rely on chat or email to communicate.

11. Use Reverse Image Search for Product PhotosTaking professional-quality product photos uses up significant resources and counterfeiters are much more likely to simply steal photos from legitimate sellers. If a listing has poor writing but images that look suspiciously professional, do a reverse image search. If the photo appears on multiple unrelated sites, you may want to look elsewhere.

Legit-Check Before You Checkout

Scammers depend on the emotional pull of low prices and desirability to make you forget all logic. It doesn’t matter how smart you are, their emotion-driven tactics can be highly effective if you’re not prepared for them. With the legit-check tips we shared, you can avoid falling for low-quality fakes and fully enjoy your online shopping experience. Good luck, stay skeptical, and happy shopping.