When you are shopping for Bont online, we want you to feel confident about where you buy. A website using our name, logo, or product photos may look familiar, but those details alone do not establish a connection to Bont.
Before entering payment details, take a moment to check the website and the business behind it. These checks can help you spot warning signs and decide when to ask us for help.
There are two different checks to make: whether a website is pretending to be an official Bont store, and whether an independent skate shop is a genuine business. An independent retailer can have its own website address and branding. The checks below help you assess each situation.
1. Is the website pretending to be Bont?
Look at the full address in your browser, not just the store name on the page. A familiar brand name can appear inside an unfamiliar domain. Extra words, altered spellings, or an unexpected address deserve a closer look.
Do not assume a website is official because it appears in a search result or advertisement. If you are unsure about a website selling Bont products, send us the exact address before you buy.
2. Look beyond the photos and the price
Logos and product images can be copied. A polished design does not tell you who operates the store.
Be cautious with unusually large discounts, pressure to buy immediately, or claims that seem inconsistent with the product being offered. A sale alone does not prove fraud, but it is a reason to check the seller carefully rather than rush to checkout.
3. Is it a genuine independent skate shop?
Look for a clear business name, usable contact details, and consistent shipping and return policies. Conflicting policies deserve a closer look. Check independent reviews rather than relying only on testimonials displayed by the store. Be wary if an independent seller will accept only bank transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
Click social media icons to check whether they actually link to relevant accounts. Look at the accounts and their posting history. Icons that are only pictures or lead nowhere are a reason to investigate further.
Search any listed business address and check that it matches the seller. Missing or mismatched details deserve a closer look, although an online-only business does not need a retail storefront.
Notice inconsistencies in the store's branding, images, and wording. A skateboard logo on a shop selling Bont products is not proof of fraud: legitimate stores can sell several kinds of skating products. Consider whether the overall identity fits the seller's claims.
Bont products may be sold by independent retailers. A store with its own name or website address is not automatically fake, and an unfamiliar seller should not be labeled fraudulent without evidence. If you cannot establish the seller's relationship with Bont, ask us before ordering.
4. Do not rely on the padlock
HTTPS means the connection is encrypted. It does not prove that the business is legitimate. Fake stores can use encrypted websites too.
Check the payment options and their protections. Be wary if a seller insists on gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer. Payment protection varies by provider, country, and transaction, so read the terms before paying.
5. Check with Bont before buying
If something feels wrong, pause. Contact us through an independently verified Bont channel, rather than contact details supplied only by the website you are questioning.
Share the exact website address and, if helpful, a screenshot of the listing. You do not need to send passwords, full card details, or identity documents for us to understand which website you mean.
Already paid? Act promptly
Contact your bank, card issuer, or payment provider immediately. Explain what happened and ask about protecting your account, stopping further payments, and any available dispute options. Recovery is not guaranteed.
Keep your order confirmation, payment record, messages, and screenshots. Stop sending money if you suspect a scam, including requests for extra fees. Be cautious of anyone promising to recover your money for an upfront payment.
Report it to your country’s official scam-reporting service. You can also let Bont know which website you encountered, with personal and payment details removed from screenshots.
If you are unsure, checking before you buy is always worthwhile.