Check the online store before you buy
Fake webshops look real until the package never arrives. Here is how to spot risky e-commerce sites — and a free Norwegian tool that checks stores against public records.
Online shopping is convenient until the “store” is a shell company, a copycat domain, or a listing already flagged by consumer authorities. A padlock in the browser only means the connection is encrypted — not that the seller is trustworthy. Before you pay, spend a few minutes verifying who is behind the shop.
Warning signs of a risky webshop
- Prices that are unrealistically low compared with known retailers.
- Missing organisation number, vague contact details, or broken return policies.
- Crypto-only checkout or pressure to pay outside normal card / invoice options.
- Odd domain spelling that mimics a familiar brand.
What a proper store check looks like
Serious verification goes beyond reading the About page. Look up the company in official registers: is it active, under liquidation, or deleted? Scan the site for organisation number, terms, and right of withdrawal. Cross-check public consumer-authority lists of shops you should treat with caution. That mix of company data, site content, and public warnings is far more useful than a pretty logo.
A free tool for checking Norwegian webshops
If you shop from Norwegian domains — or want a quick company lookup before you click Buy — try Tryggehandel at tryggehandel.no. Paste a store URL or name and you get findings from the Norwegian business register (Enhetsregisteret), the shop’s own pages, and public caution lists — with sources and dates. They do not sell trust badges or certify stores; they surface what public records already say.
E-commerce works when the seller is real and accountable. A five-minute check before checkout beats weeks of chasing a refund. Bookmark a trusted lookup tool, trust your instincts on “too good to be true,” and keep receipts if something goes wrong.