Some retailers try to hide non-compliance behind smooth marketing. They might say 'We take age verification seriously' but then not actually do it. Or they'll bury the age-gate in a fine-print disclaimer that's easy to miss.

Others use confusing language, like 'By purchasing, you confirm you are 21+'—but that's not the same as verifying. A checkbox isn't compliance. Real verification means checking an ID, not just clicking a button.

Watch out for sellers that redirect you to a third-party payment page that doesn't ask for age. That's a gap a dishonest seller can exploit. If the age check only happens on their site and not at the payment or delivery stage, question it.