Before you report: is the fake store on Shopify?
A clone of a Shopify store is not always hosted on Shopify. Scammers can copy your pages onto any platform. Shopify can act only on stores that run on Shopify, so check this first.
Open the fake store in a browser and view the page source (right-click, then View Page Source). These signs mean it runs on Shopify:
- Images and files load from
cdn.shopify.com - The source contains
Shopify.themeorShopify.shop - The source mentions a
.myshopify.comaddress
If you see none of these, the store is probably hosted elsewhere. Report it to that host and to the domain registrar instead. Reporting brand abuse explains each of those channels.
This page explains Shopify’s public reporting process as of October 2026. It is not legal advice. Shopify can change its forms, so check the linked pages before you file.
Which guide fits the provider behind the clone?
Most clones need more than one report. Each provider below controls a different part of the clone. Use ICANN Lookup to find the registrar, and look up who owns the site’s IP address to find the host.
| Provider | What it controls | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Dynadot | The domain (registrar) | Report a fake store to Dynadot |
| Cosmotown | The domain (registrar) | Report a fake store to Cosmotown |
| Namecheap | The domain, and sometimes the hosting | Report a fake store to Namecheap |
| Spaceship | The domain (registrar) | Report a fake store to Spaceship |
| GoDaddy | The domain, and sometimes the hosting | Report a fake store to GoDaddy |
| .shop registry (GMO Registry) | Every .shop domain | Report a fake .shop domain |
| Cloudflare | Traffic to the site, when proxied | Report a fake store to Cloudflare |
| Hostinger | The website files (host) | Report a fake store to Hostinger |
| Shopify | Stores that run on Shopify | This page, below |
| Google Safe Browsing | Warnings in Chrome | Report a fake store to Google Safe Browsing |
| Microsoft | Warnings in Edge | Report a fake store to Microsoft |
As a rule, report phishing or fraud to registrars, registries and browser blocklists. Send a copyright (DMCA) notice for your photos and text to the host. The DMCA takedown generator writes that notice, and you can download every template in one file.
Which Shopify form should you use?
Shopify has separate forms for different problems. Pick the one that matches what you can show. A report that names the wrong problem is slower, and it can be rejected.
| What the fake store does | Shopify form |
|---|---|
| Uses your original photos or written descriptions | Copyright (DMCA) notice |
| Uses your registered brand name or logo to confuse shoppers | Trademark or trade dress notice |
| Takes payment and ships nothing, or runs another scam | Fraud, under Report a merchant |
| Tries to steal logins or card details, or spreads malware | Spam or malicious practices, under Report a merchant |
Many clones fit more than one row. A store that copies your photos and takes money for goods it never ships can get a copyright notice and a fraud report. File each one separately, with the evidence that supports it.
How do you file a copyright (DMCA) notice with Shopify?
Use the copyright notice when the fake store shows your original photos or text. You do not need a trademark for this. Copyright covers original work you created or own.
Shopify’s copyright policy asks for:
- Your legal name and contact details
- Direct links to your original work
- A link to each individual page on the fake store that contains the copied content
- A description of what was copied
- A statement that you believe in good faith the use is not authorised and that your notice is accurate
- A statement, under penalty of perjury, that you own the copyright or may act for the owner
- Your physical or electronic signature
The most common mistake is to send only the fake store’s home page. List every product page that uses your photos or text.
How do you file a trademark notice with Shopify?
Use the trademark notice when the fake store uses your brand name or logo in a way that confuses shoppers. Shopify’s trademark policy asks for the same contact details, links and signed statements as a copyright notice. It also asks, for each trademark:
- A description of the mark
- The countries where it is registered
- The registration number
- The products or services the registration covers
- How the fake store infringes it
If you have not registered your trademark, use the copyright notice or a fraud report instead. A registered mark is worth having before you need it.
How do you report a scam store to Shopify?
Use Report a merchant and pick the reason that fits:
- Fraud for a store that takes orders and payments it does not honour.
- Spam or malicious practices for phishing pages, malware or spam.
Shoppers can use this form too. If a customer was charged by the fake store, ask them to report it and to contact their card issuer.
Here is a description you can paste into the form. Only include statements that are true for your case.
This Shopify store impersonates our store, [Your Brand]
(https://[your-store.com]).
Fake store: https://[clone-domain.com]
Pages:
- https://[clone-domain.com]/products/[product]
- https://[clone-domain.com]/checkout
It uses our store name, logo, product photos and descriptions. It takes
orders and payments while pretending to be us. It is not connected to
us. Screenshots taken [date, time, time zone] show the clone next to
our real pages.
[Your name], [Title], [Your Brand]
[Email]What happens after you report?
For a valid copyright notice, Shopify says it removes the reported content and tells the merchant through their Shopify admin. It also forwards your notice to them.
Two things to know before you file:
- Your notice can be shared. Shopify states that a copy of your notice, including your contact details, may be given to the person who posted the content. Use a business address and email, not personal ones.
- The merchant can respond. A merchant can send a counter-notice or response. For trademark notices, Shopify sends a valid response to you and generally lets the merchant repost the content. If that happens, you may need legal advice.
Shopify does not publish a fixed timetable. Keep the reference you receive and check the fake store again after a few days.
What else should you report?
A Shopify report removes content from Shopify. It does not touch the domain, the ads or the payments. Report those too.
| Where | Why |
|---|---|
| The domain registrar | The domain can keep working, or move to a new host. See the provider guides above. |
| Ad platforms (Meta, Google, TikTok) | Ads bring most shoppers to a clone. Removing them cuts traffic fast. |
| The payment provider | If you can identify it, report the fake checkout. Do not test it with a real card. |
| Google Safe Browsing and Microsoft | For pages that steal logins or card details. A flag warns shoppers in their browser. |
| Your customers | Post your official address and support email, so shoppers can check. |
Mistakes that slow a report down
- Sending only the store’s home page instead of each infringing page
- Filing a trademark notice without a registration number
- Mixing several claims in one report
- Sending a large folder of unrelated screenshots
- Contacting the fake store’s operator before you save the evidence
Keep a simple log: the fake address, the form you used, the date, the reference number and the current state of the page. If the clone comes back, your next report takes minutes.
How Recon fits
Recon is a Shopify app that watches for clones of your store and for suspicious lookalike addresses. On every plan, it finds who to report each clone to and writes the notices for you to review and send. Early access on Pro: one click, and Recon files the reports for you.
Recon does not remove websites. Shopify, the host, the registrar or the registry decides whether to remove a site. Read what a cloned website is to learn more.
Add Recon to Shopify, or run a free website check first.
FAQ
Q: Can I report a Shopify store if I am a shopper, not the brand?
A: Yes. Use Report a merchant and choose Fraud or Issue with an order. Only the rights owner, or someone acting for them, can file a copyright or trademark notice.
Q: Do I need a lawyer to file a DMCA notice with Shopify?
A: No. The form is designed for rights owners. Your statements are made under penalty of perjury, so be accurate. Talk to a lawyer if the case is contested or the loss is large.
Q: The fake store uses my name but not my photos. Which form fits?
A: With a registered trademark, use the trademark notice. Without one, report the behaviour you can show, such as fraud, and report the domain to its registrar.
Q: How long does Shopify take to act?
A: Shopify does not publish a timetable. A complete notice that lists each infringing page is the fastest route.
Recon research
- Recon has found 153,502 clones of Shopify stores, including clones of Taylor Swift’s store, SKIMS and Stanley.
- Inside a copy factory: one operation running 1,732 clones of 475 Shopify brands.
Explore Recon’s Shopify brand protection tools
All knowledge