How do I spot a peptide scam vendor?

Watch for patterns rather than any single sign. Payment is a major tell: the FTC warns that sellers who insist on hard-to-reverse methods only — gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency — are a classic scam signal, because those payments can't be clawed back. Other red flags: no independently verifiable COA (or "COA on request" only); prices far below market; a brand-new or anonymous site with no real business contact; pressure tactics such as countdown timers; and reviews you can't corroborate. A simple check the FTC recommends: search the company or product name plus "scam" or "complaint." No single item is proof, but several together is a strong warning.