We're quickly approaching the halfway point of 2026, and I'm seeing no signs that the ongoing RAM crisis will be solved anytime soon.

Prices remain high as AI datacenters eat up the world's supply of DRAM, and the effects are blooming into other areas of the market. I hate to say it, but the crisis could go on for years as supplies are purchased years in advance by corporations with a lot more money than you or I.

1. Fake RAM modules ... and I mean completely fake

One of the biggest cons going on right now involves the sale of RAM sticks with fake memory chips glued onto a PCB.

Although I'm sure this has been happening for a few months, it seems to have come to a head lately as Japanese X user @taki_pc_1115 recently shared a similar warning.

They were able to spot some fake SODIMM modules used in laptops, and upon removing the chips installed on the board, they discovered that they were nothing more than plastic made to look real.

In the example above, the biggest tip-off is the use of SK hynix chips on a Samsung module. I probably would have caught that just based on years of looking at RAM modules, but I imagine most potential buyers wouldn't notice.

It gets worse if you're dealing in desktop RAM, which often comes covered in a styled heatsink. No way to see inside means even fewer hints that it's fake.

TL;DR: If you buy RAM online, be sure to compare the provided images with images of what you know are authentic counterparts. Use serial numbers for easier matching. This will help you avoid buying fake RAM.

2. Junk RAM being sold as "untested" with "no returns"

"Oh, look — someone upgraded their PC and they're selling the old RAM for cheap! They must know about the ongoing RAM crisis!"

Second-hand auction sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace generally have a lot of RAM for sale, but it's certainly not all legit. Worse, there's a good chance that the seller knows exactly what they're doing.

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If you see a listing that mentions RAM is untested or freshly pulled from a PC, I would be wary. If the listing mentions "no returns," it's time to double your guard.

The RAM might not be fake, but it might not be in any sort of working condition. And since you can't send it back, you're left with less PC upgrade budget and the same amount of memory you started with.

TL;DR: Avoid second-hand RAM sales that mention "no returns" or "untested."

3. Huge RAM discounts that seem too good to be true

I've spotted more than a few RAM deals I consider to be excellent in our new memory market reality, but they're generally offered directly from first-party retailers or arrive as part of a bundle that helps ease the pricing burden.

As with just about any piece of tech, I can't stress enough that a deal that feels too good to be true is probably exactly that.

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Scammers love to grab your attention with a price that's lower than anything else. Once you're hooked with an unbelievable price, you're less likely to notice a potential issue. Once the shipment arrives, there's a good chance it'll contain fake RAM (or none at all).

TL;DR: If RAM is being sold for way less than it should be, there's a good chance it's a fake sale. In rare cases, you might miss a legitimately good opportunity, but the risks outweigh the benefits.

4. Bait-and-switch RAM sales

Yep, it's the ol' bait-and-switch method that's been plaguing online buyers for years.

In this case, you buy what you think is new RAM that hasn't been used. Whatever, you'll splurge a bit in order to finish your PC build. The RAM's packaging is still sealed! What could go wrong?

Unfortunately, buying a sealer and some plastic wrap is a cheap way to make some quick money. A scammer buys real RAM from a real store, removes it from the packaging, puts in some old or unworking RAM (or some rocks to make up the weight), and reseals it.

They then return the now-faked RAM to the store, where it's put back on sale after a quick inspection. You buy it next, and you're left with nothing. This seems to mostly happen with third-party resellers (even if they're hosting at a legit site like Amazon).

TL;DR: Always take a close look at the RAM you buy, even if it's "new." A pristine package's contents could have been swapped out before you bought the RAM.

5. Relabeled RAM that runs ... but not like it should

I hope that I would never fall prey to this type of scam based on how many PCs I've built, but I'm certainly not saying I'm immune. For those who aren't always dealing in the PC build world, this scam is particularly nefarious.

It's kind of a mix of all the other scams I've listed here. A bad actor buys real DDR5 RAM and removes it from the packaging. They then replace it with fake or rebranded RAM that's basically worthless.

But instead of the fake RAM not working at all, it functions enough that the fakery goes unnoticed. It allows a PC to boot and function, and the issues only arise under specific testing that casual users don't normally employ.

You're out some big money you spent on what you thought was DDR5 RAM, and you're wondering why everyone was making such a big fuss about a memory upgrade when it feels like your PC hasn't improved at all.

TL;DR: Some old RAM might be relabeled and sold as one thing, and it actually works when you install it in your PC. But it's not what you paid for, and it's not actually an upgrade.

Windows Central wants to know how you're avoiding RAM scams in 2026

Buying memory in 2026 is like navigating a minefield. I wrote this piece in the hopes that I can help a few of you avoid scams, but I'm sure there are some great tips out there that I haven't mentioned.

What sort of precautionary measures have you been taking? It doesn't necessarily have to be about RAM, as so many other components, like storage, have also risen in price.

Be sure to let me know in the comments section below!

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Cale Hunt brings to Windows Central more than nine years of experience writing about PC gaming, Windows laptops, accessories, and beyond. If it runs Windows or in some way complements the hardware, there’s a good chance he knows about it, has written about it, or is already busy testing it.