PSA: How to verify a vendor is legit before ordering

With so many scam sites popping up, I wanted to create a definitive guide on how to verify if a vendor is legitimate BEFORE you send them money.

🚨 The Problem

Every month, new "vendors" appear with:

• ❌ Suspiciously low prices
• ❌ Generic websites
• ❌ No reviews anywhere
• ❌ Bitcoin-only payment (no refunds)

People lose hundreds or thousands of dollars to these scams. Let's stop that.

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✅ The Verification Checklist

Step 1: Search for Reviews (5 minutes)

Check these sources:

1. This forum - Search the vendor name in forum posts
2. Reddit - Search r/fakeid and related subreddits
3. Google - Search "[vendor name] review" or "[vendor name] scam"

Green flags:

• ✓ Multiple detailed reviews from different people
• ✓ Reviews spanning several months/years
• ✓ Photos of received IDs
• ✓ Consistent positive feedback

Red flags:

• ✗ Zero reviews anywhere
• ✗ Only reviews on their own website
• ✗ All reviews posted on same date
• ✗ Generic praise with no specifics

Step 2: Check Community Recommendations (3 minutes)

Trusted vendors (as of Feb 2025):

Vendor Status Years Active OldIronsidesFakes ✅ Verified 5+ years IDGod ✅ Verified 10+ years LostIdentification ✅ Verified 3+ years Evolved IDs ⚠️ Closing 4+ years

If a vendor isn't on this list or widely discussed, be very cautious.

Step 3: Analyze Their Website (5 minutes)

Professional vendor websites have:

• ✓ Custom design (not a generic template)
• ✓ Detailed product pages with photos
• ✓ Clear ordering process
• ✓ FAQ section
• ✓ Working contact methods
• ✓ Proper English (or their native language)
• ✓ HTTPS/SSL certificate (padlock in browser)

Scam websites often have:

• ✗ Generic WordPress/Shopify template
• ✗ Stock photos from Google
• ✗ Broken links or pages
• ✗ Poor grammar and spelling errors
• ✗ No contact info or fake contact info
• ✗ Domain registered very recently (check WHOIS)
• ✗ Prices too good to be true ($20-40 IDs)

Step 4: Test Communication (10 minutes)

Before ordering, contact them with a question:

"Hi, I'm interested in ordering a [state] ID. How long is current production time? Also, what payment methods do you accept?"

Legitimate vendors will:

• ✓ Respond within 24-48 hours
• ✓ Give specific, detailed answers
• ✓ Have consistent communication
• ✓ Answer follow-up questions patiently

Scammers often:

• ✗ Never respond at all
• ✗ Give vague, generic answers
• ✗ Push you to order immediately
• ✗ Get defensive about questions
• ✗ Have inconsistent information

Step 5: Check Payment Methods (2 minutes)

⚠️ MAJOR WARNING SIGN:

If a vendor ONLY accepts Bitcoin and nothing else = 🚩 HUGE RED FLAG

Why? Bitcoin transactions are:

• Completely irreversible
• Untraceable
• No buyer protection
• Perfect for scammers

Legitimate vendors typically offer:

• ✓ Multiple cryptocurrencies (BTC, LTC, ETH)
• ✓ Cashapp or Zelle (domestic vendors)
• ✓ Sometimes even credit cards (risky for them, but shows legitimacy)

Note: International vendors (like IDGod) may only take crypto, but they should offer MULTIPLE crypto options, not just Bitcoin.

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🎯 Real Example: Spotting a Scam

Case Study: "CheapIDStore" (Fake Vendor)

Red Flag What I Found No Reviews Zero results on Google, Reddit, or this forum Suspiciously Low Prices $35 per ID (way below market rate) Generic Website Basic Shopify template, stock photos Bitcoin Only No other payment options offered Recent Domain Domain registered 3 weeks ago (WHOIS check) No Communication Sent 3 emails, never got a response Broken Links "Terms of Service" page was a 404 error

Verdict: 🚨 OBVIOUS SCAM - Did NOT order

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💰 If You've Already Been Scammed

1. Don't panic - Your money is likely gone, but you can warn others
2. Document everything:
   • Screenshots of website
   • Email communications
   • Bitcoin transaction ID
   • Any other proof
3. Post a warning here and on Reddit - Help others avoid the same mistake
4. Report the website:
   • Google Safe Browsing
   • Web hosting provider
   • Domain registrar
5. Learn and move forward - Use a verified vendor next time

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📌 Quick Decision Flowchart

Should I Order From This Vendor?

❓ Are they on the verified vendor list? → Yes → ✅ Probably safe to order

❓ Are they on the verified vendor list? → No → Continue checking...

❓ Do they have many reviews (3+ months old)? → Yes → Continue checking...

❓ Do they have many reviews (3+ months old)? → No → ⛔ DO NOT ORDER

❓ Do they offer multiple payment methods? → Yes → Continue checking...

❓ Do they offer multiple payment methods? → No (Bitcoin only) → ⛔ DO NOT ORDER

❓ Did they respond to your test email? → Yes → ⚠️ Proceed with caution

❓ Did they respond to your test email? → No → ⛔ DO NOT ORDER

When in doubt, DON'T ORDER. Stick to known vendors.

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🎓 Final Advice

"If it seems too good to be true, it is."

Fake IDs cost $100-200 for a reason. Quality materials, equipment, and expertise aren't cheap. Anyone offering IDs for $30-50 is either:

1. A scammer who will take your money and disappear
2. Producing garbage-quality IDs that will get rejected immediately

Save your money, do your research, and use verified vendors. The extra $50-100 is worth not losing everything to a scam.

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Stay safe out there! Have questions about a specific vendor? Ask below and the community can help verify. 👇