Are the back-to-school deal sites showing up in my feed scams?

Treat them as likely fake until proven otherwise. Late-July and August bring a predictable spike in single-product and clearance-branded stores pushing “70% off” backpacks, laptops, and dorm gear through Instagram and TikTok ads — most run on domains registered within the past few weeks and disappear once complaints pile up. Before buying, check how old the domain is, search the store name plus “reviews” on a site that isn't the store itself, and never pay by direct bank transfer or gift card for a “deal” that vanishes if you hesitate.

Educational verdict from documented scam patterns — not a live report. For a 0–100 risk score on the exact link in your hand, run the checker.