Dear Apothecary Scam Alert: How to Spot Fake Emails & Impersonators
If you're searching "Dear Apothecary scam" because you received a suspicious email or message — you're right to be cautious. Scammers are impersonating our brand. This official page explains how to spot fakes and protect yourself.
Is Dear Apothecary a Scam?
No. Dear Apothecary is a legitimate supplement company based in the United States. We sell natural health products through our official website and have thousands of satisfied customers.
However, we've become aware that fraudsters are using our name and branding to deceive people. They send fake emails, create copycat websites, and may even call or text claiming to represent us. These are scams — and they have nothing to do with our company.
If you received a suspicious message that led you here, trust your instincts. This page will help you determine whether it was real or fake.
What We Will Never Ask For
Here's the most important thing to understand: Dear Apothecary does not have access to your payment information. When you place an order, your credit card details go directly to Shopify's secure payment processors. We never see your card number, and it's never stored in our systems.
This means anyone contacting you and asking for payment details is a scammer — period.
We Will Never Contact You To Request:
- Your credit card number, CVV, or expiration date
- Your debit card or bank account information
- Login credentials for Shopify, PayPal, or any payment app
- Your Social Security number or government ID
- Payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- That you click a link to "verify" or "update" your payment method
If you receive any communication asking for these things and claiming to be from Dear Apothecary, delete it immediately. It's fraud.
How to Spot a Fake Email
Scammers have become sophisticated at mimicking legitimate brands. But there are always tells. Here's what to look for:
Check the Sender's Email Address
Our legitimate emails only come from addresses ending in @dearapothecary.com. Scammers use similar-looking domains to trick you:
Real vs. Fake Email Domains
- Real: support@dearapothecary.com ✓
- Real: orders@dearapothecary.com ✓
- Fake: support@dear-apothecary.net ✕
- Fake: dearapothecary@gmail.com ✕
- Fake: support@dearapothecary.shop ✕
- Fake: dear.apothecary@outlook.com ✕
Look for Urgency and Threats
Scam emails almost always create artificial urgency: "Your account will be suspended in 24 hours!" or "Your order will be cancelled unless you act now!" We don't communicate this way. If something seems designed to panic you into clicking, it's a red flag.
Hover Over Links (Don't Click)
Before clicking any link, hover your mouse over it to see where it actually leads. The URL should go to dearapothecary.com — not a lookalike domain or a random string of characters.
Grammar and Formatting
Many scam emails contain awkward phrasing, spelling errors, or inconsistent formatting. While not every scam has these tells, they're common indicators.
What Legitimate Emails Look Like
Real Communications From Us Include:
- Emails only from @dearapothecary.com addresses
- Order confirmations that match your actual purchases
- Shipping updates with tracking numbers you can verify on carrier websites
- Responses to support tickets that you initiated
- No requests for payment information or passwords
- No threats or false urgency about your account
When in doubt, don't click anything in the email. Instead, go directly to dearapothecary.com by typing it into your browser, log into your account, and check your order status there.
Common Scam Tactics We've Seen
The "Payment Failed" Email
A message claiming your recent order couldn't be processed and asking you to "update" your payment method through a link. If your payment actually failed, you'd see this in your Shopify order confirmation — not through a separate email asking for card details.
The "Refund" Call or Text
Someone claiming you're owed a refund and need to provide bank details to receive it. We process all refunds automatically through your original payment method. We never need to call and ask for your information.
The "Verify Your Account" Message
An email claiming your account has been compromised and asking you to verify your identity by entering personal information. We will never ask you to do this.
Social Media DMs Offering "Exclusive Deals"
Fake accounts reaching out on Instagram or Facebook with special offers or prize notifications. We don't run promotions through direct messages, and we'd never ask for payment information that way.
What To Do If You've Been Targeted
If You Received a Suspicious Message:
- Don't reply, click links, or download attachments
- Take a screenshot for your records
- Report the email as phishing in your email client
- Forward it to support@dearapothecary.com so we can investigate
- Delete the message
If You Already Shared Information:
- Contact your bank or credit card company immediately
- Request a new card number and monitor for unauthorized charges
- Change passwords for any accounts that may be compromised
- Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report
- Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dear Apothecary a legitimate company?
Yes. Dear Apothecary is a real, legitimate supplement company. We sell products through our official website at dearapothecary.com. What's not legitimate are the scammers impersonating us through fake emails and websites.
Why would scammers use your company's name?
Unfortunately, scammers target customers of many online retailers. They may obtain email lists from data breaches or simply guess that people who shop for supplements might fall for health-related scams. This isn't unique to us — it's a widespread problem affecting e-commerce.
I received an email about my order. How do I know if it's real?
Check that the sender's address ends in exactly @dearapothecary.com. Then, instead of clicking any links, go directly to dearapothecary.com, log into your account, and verify your order status there. If the email mentions an order you didn't place, it's fake.
Someone called claiming to be from Dear Apothecary. Is that real?
We do not make unsolicited phone calls to customers asking for personal or payment information. If someone calls claiming to be from Dear Apothecary and requests any sensitive information, hang up — it's a scam.
Can you refund me if I was scammed by an impersonator?
If you made a payment to a scammer impersonating us, that money did not go to Dear Apothecary, and we're unable to refund it. You'll need to dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company. We're happy to provide documentation confirming we didn't receive the payment if that helps your case.
How can I report a scam to you?
Please forward suspicious emails or send screenshots to support@dearapothecary.com. Include as much detail as possible — email addresses, phone numbers, website URLs. This helps us track these scams and warn other customers.
Official Contact Information
When in doubt, verify through our official channels:
This page was created to help protect our customers from fraud. Dear Apothecary is committed to your security. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us through our official website.
