How to Spot a Fake Game Store Website
The world of trading card games (TCG) and tabletop gaming is full of amazing communities, local game stores, and online retailers that help fuel our passion for collecting and playing. But with the rise of online shopping, there’s also been an unfortunate increase in scam websites posing as legitimate game stores.
A Real World Example
These guys spoofed our website, and put an email address at our real domain so I would be the one answering emails from their defrauded customers. Note that it lists an email at a domain different than the website, and that the site’s prefix is misspelled. Our real website will ALWAYS be alatomtcg.com. If there’s anything in between “alatomtcg” and “.com,” it’s not us.
If you’ve ever seen a deal that seemed too good to be true on Pokémon booster boxes, Magic: The Gathering singles, or One Piece decks—only to second-guess whether the store is real—you’re not alone. Scammers set up fake storefronts to take advantage of eager gamers looking for deals.
So how do you make sure the store you’re shopping from is legit? Let’s break down the key things to check before hitting that "buy" button.
1. Verify the Store’s Address and Business Listing
A real game store will have a physical address, and you should be able to verify it through Google Business listings or Google Maps.
No Game Store at this addess
There’s two completely not-game-store businesses at this address, and it’s not in a retail location.
Steps to check:
✅ Search the store’s name on Google Maps and see if the address matches what’s on the website.
✅ Look for customer reviews, photos, and posted hours—these are signs of an active, real business.
✅ If an address is listed, check if it belongs to an actual store or just an empty lot (Google Street View can help with this).
🚩 Red Flags:
No address listed anywhere on the site.
An address that belongs to a random house or unrelated business.
A store claiming to have multiple locations but with inconsistent information.
2. Look for the Store in Official Game Event Listings
Many official game publishers (like Wizards of the Coast for Magic: The Gathering or Bandai for One Piece and Dragon Ball Super Card Game) have store locator tools that show where authorized events take place. A legitimate game store is likely to be listed there.
No store where this one says it is!
If you compare this map with the one in the previous image, you can see that WOTC has no record of a game store at that address.
Where to check:
🔎 Wizards of the Coast Store Locator – For Magic: The Gathering events.
🔎 Bandai TCG+ – For One Piece, Dragon Ball Super, and Digimon events.
🔎 Pokémon Play! Store Locator – For Pokémon TCG events.
🔎 Disney Lorcana Store Locator - For Lorcana Organized Play Stores
🚩 Red Flags:
The store claims to host events but doesn’t appear in official event finders.
The store lists a fake or non-existent tournament schedule.
3. Check for a Social Media Presence
Most real game stores engage with their community through Facebook, Instagram, or Discord. Even if they don’t post daily, you should see evidence of events, promotions, or customer interactions.
How to check:
✅ Look up the store’s name on social media platforms and check for regular posts, comments, and reviews.
✅ See if they have a Discord server for their local community.
✅ If they run events, they should have some kind of photo proof of game nights or tournaments.
🚩 Red Flags:
No social media presence at all.
Generic or AI-generated images instead of real photos.
Reviews that seem fake or copied from another store.
4. Be Wary of Prices That Are Too Good to Be True
We all love a good deal, but if a website is selling booster boxes for way below market price, that’s a major red flag. Scammers rely on the temptation of ultra-low prices to lure in buyers.
What’s normal?
📌 Check price averages on sites like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom, or eBay.
📌 If a store is significantly cheaper than every other retailer, proceed with caution.
🚩 Red Flags:
A brand-new site offering insane discounts (e.g., a $120 booster box for $50).
No real product descriptions—just stock photos and vague wording.
No clear return policy or contact information.
5. Look for Secure Payment Options
A real game store should offer secure payment methods, such as PayPal, credit cards, or trusted payment gateways. If a site only accepts cash transfers, crypto, or sketchy payment apps, stay far away.
How to stay safe:
✅ Use credit cards or PayPal for extra protection.
✅ Avoid direct bank transfers to unknown businesses.
✅ If the site forces you to use Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App, that’s a bad sign.
🚩 Red Flags:
No secure payment options (e.g., site asks for cash payment via email).
No checkout security (look for HTTPS in the URL).
Suspicious refund policies (or none at all).
6. Check Reviews on Third-Party Sites
Before buying from a new store, check Google Reviews, Trustpilot, Reddit, or Facebook for real customer feedback.
✅ Look for consistent positive reviews over time.
✅ Check for real customer experiences (not just generic, 5-star "Great store!" reviews).
🚩 Red Flags:
All reviews seem too perfect or fake.
No reviews anywhere outside of the store’s own website.
Complaints about orders never shipping.
Final Thoughts: Shop Smart, Play Safe!
Finding a good deal on trading cards or gaming accessories is great—but protecting yourself from scams is even more important. By checking for a real address, social proof, fair pricing, and secure payments, you can avoid fake stores and enjoy your hobby with confidence.
At ala Tompkins TCG, we take pride in being a real, community-driven game store in Pleasant Valley, NY. If you ever have questions about buying, trading, or organizing your collection, we’re always happy to help.
👉 Want to check out our events? See what’s happening on our Google Calendar.
👉 Looking for legit TCG products? Stop by our store or browse our official site!
Stay safe, shop smart, and happy gaming! 🎴✨