How can you check if a website is an online phishing or scam site?
As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online—from fake investment opportunities to online stores—and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world increasingly becomes a part of every facet of our lives. The following tips will help you identify signs that indicate a website could be a scam.
Common Sense: Too Good To Be True
When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check the same product on trusted, competing websites. If the price difference is huge, it might be better to scrutinize the rest of the website.
Check Out the Social Media Links
Social media is a core part of e-commerce businesses, and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and may insert social media logos on their websites. However, these buttons may not work and can lead to the homepage, an empty profile, or nowhere at all. Scammers are often too lazy to create legitimate social media pages. If there are functioning accounts, take a look to see if there are any posts or reviews. Oftentimes, if the website is a scam, angry users will let you know!
Check the Small Print (Terms & Policies)
Scammers often use placeholder or poorly written text on pages like About Us, Terms & Conditions, Shipping Policy, and Returns Policy to give an air of professionalism. If these pages are missing or poorly constructed (for example, filled with typos), think twice about shopping there. Do you really think a legitimate business would put up incomplete or sloppy text?
Are Brand Names (Mis)used?
Many fraudulent web shops use brand names (Adidas, Chanel, Apple) alongside words like "discounted," "cheap," or "free" to attract visitors via search engines. Premium brands rarely put their products on sale or offer large discounts. Legitimate online stores typically sell multiple brands and don’t rely on a single one. Also, legitimate websites feature high-quality logos and images, while scammers often steal low-resolution content from various sources. If the website looks unprofessional, it’s a red flag.
Does It Have a Working Trustmark?
Trustmarks are third-party verifications for online stores, indicating security or consumer rights protection. However, scammers misuse these logos without proper verification. For example, they might display a trustmark without having been certified. One example is the Safe.Shop trustmark. If you see it on a website, try clicking it. If the link doesn’t work, go to Safe.Shop directly to verify if they’re certified.
Check the Domain Name
Some fraudulent sites try to imitate official brand websites by using domain names that look similar. For instance, the real domain might be brand.com, while the fake site could use brand.xyz or brand.biz. Always double-check the domain name, especially when clicking a link. A good trick is to search for the brand through your search engine. Fake sites tend to rely on direct links and usually don’t rank highly.
Check the Domain Age
You can use sites like Scamadviser to check how old a website is. Domain names registered for short periods (such as a year) may be suspicious, as scammers don’t invest much money into their fake websites. Short registration periods and newly created domains can be signs of a scam.
Are the Reviews Reliable?
A well-known consumer review system is usually a good sign, but some review systems are better than others. Fake websites may have a "Reviews" or "Testimonials" section filled with fake, overly positive reviews. These reviews might use made-up names, stock photos, or text copied from elsewhere. To get a clearer picture, check external review sites like TrustPilot or Scamadviser, where companies can’t delete or edit reviews.
Visit Company Registries
If you’re unsure about a business, checking company registries can provide more clarity. In the U.S., for example, the Better Business Bureau is a reliable source. Different countries have their own systems, such as the Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands.
Is Communication Secured?
Look for "https" at the beginning of the website’s URL and a lock symbol in the address bar. This indicates that communication between the site and your browser is encrypted, making the site somewhat safer. However, it doesn’t guarantee the site isn’t fake, as SSL certificates are relatively inexpensive and easy for scammers to obtain.
Are Safe Payment Methods Offered?
Credit cards, PayPal, and Alipay are examples of payment methods that offer consumer protection. Avoid transferring money to a bank account if you’re unsure of a site’s legitimacy. Payment methods like Western Union, MoneyGram, and Bitcoin are untraceable, making it nearly impossible to get your money back if you’ve been scammed. These methods are favored by scammers for this reason.
Who Delivers the Product?
Check if the website lists its delivery partners. While not all web shops do, some offer features like shipment tracking. If a trusted delivery partner is listed, it’s usually a good sign. Reliable companies often integrate this into the checkout process.
Not Sure? Contact the Web Shop
A legitimate web shop will provide multiple ways for customers to reach them, such as a phone number, email address, or contact form. They should also be active on social media. If in doubt, try calling or sending an email to check if the company responds within a reasonable time frame, usually within a few hours or a maximum of two working days.
Still Not Sure? Do Not Do It!
When in doubt, it’s better to be cautious. If something feels off, trust your intuition. Don’t let a tempting price cloud your judgment. If you have concerns, there are plenty of other reputable shops to choose from.
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