Use our safe browser to automatically block ads and stop even the most advanced tracking and fingerprinting technologies, all while browsing up to four times faster. Trust badges, or trust “seals,” usually appear on shopping or ecommerce sites to signal trustworthiness. If a customer scans the site, these icons jump out as a sign of legitimacy.

Check the URL closely for spelling mistakes

Look for details like the registered company name, country of origin, province or state, and locality. These are all signs that the website uses a higher level of security — known as an “Organization Validation (OV) certificate” — which is harder for scammers to fake. The easiest way to tell that you’re on a fake website is when the domain name doesn’t match the official website for the company. For example, scammers often use domain names that are similar to — or even contain — the official URL within the fake domain name. In this guide, we’ll explain how scam websites work, how you can identify a fake website (with examples), and what to do if you accidentally visit or enter information on a scammer’s site.

1. VPNs reroute all your traffic through private servers, masking your IP address and enhancing your online privacy.
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3. If the website you’re on doesn’t explain how to return an item, it’s a scam.
4. But just because encryption is essential for security, it doesn’t guarantee that the site is legitimate, as even fraudulent sites can use encryption.
5. To check for malware links, you can use antivirus software with web protection features to scan and block malicious URLs and links in real time.

The Bottom Line: Stay Safe and Avoid Fake Websites

When you visit a website, look for a padlock icon next to the URL in the browser’s address bar. This icon indicates that the site has an SSL/TLS certificate, suggesting that the data you send and receive from the site is encrypted and secure. Sites that are riddled with design issues and spelling and grammatical errors could be a sign that a site isn’t safe.

See how we’re dedicated to helping protect you, your accounts and your loved ones from financial abuse. Also, learn about the common tricks scammers are using to help you stay one step ahead of them. If you see unauthorized charges or believe your account was compromised contact us right away to report fraud. It’s alright to worry about a website’s legitimacy, especially given how rampant scammers and online thieves seem to be on today’s internet.

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By thoroughly assessing user reviews, you can better determine a site’s reliability and safeguard yourself from fraudulent online entities. In Safari’s settings under Security, you’ll see an option for Warn when visiting a fraudulent website. Whether you’re using Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or any other browser, it’s a good idea to verify and enable the security settings. Your browser has fairly powerful scam and malware detection capabilities that you should take advantage of. If a site feels a little sketchy, or if you want to make a purchase but don’t want to trust your financial information to a company you don’t know, reach out using the contact information. They may have other ways for you to make a purchase that you feel more comfortable with.

Download Norton 360 Deluxe to stay safer when browsing and shopping online. We scan the website with multiple domain blocklist engines and other security services to better detect dangerous websites. Find out the trustworthiness value of a website (powered by MyWOT) so you can easily identify untrusted and potentially unsafe websites. There isn’t one single payment red flag that every fake website shares, so you need to be on the lookout for as many warning signs as you can. In this guide, we’ll explain the risks of fake websites, warning signs to look out for, and what steps you should take if you fall victim. Scammers set up fake sites to mimic familiar login pages, online shopping sites, and information or payment request forms.

You can start by checking for an SSL/TLS certificate, which indicates that the site encrypts data transmitted between your browser and the server. But just because encryption is essential for security, it doesn’t guarantee that the site is legitimate, as even fraudulent sites can use encryption. Make sure the details align with the website you believe you’re visiting.

Links to these pages are included in scam messages or even posted online to trap unsuspecting browsers. Chase online lets you manage your Chase accounts, view statements, monitor activity, pay bills or transfer funds securely from one central place. For questions or concerns, please contact Chase customer service or let us know about Chase complaints and feedback.

For example, it tells you if the site uses encryption to protect your data, along with the site’s level of verification certificate. Download AVG AntiVirus FREE for Mac to block viruses and spyware and protect your personal data. Phishing links attempt to trick users into clicking links in order to disclose sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial details.

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Links to these policies often appear at the bottom of every page of a website. Sometimes the goal of a fake app or website isn’t to steal your information, passwords, or money — but to infect your device with malware. The website should also include basic legal information, such as its terms and conditions, privacy policy, and data collection policy. If you can’t find this information, it’s likely not a legitimate company. Fake websites are everywhere  and they’re getting harder to spot. Here’s how you can make sure that you’re not dealing with a fraudulent website.

Report the suspicious website if you believe it is running a scam. If your browser didn’t provide you with a warning about a site, but you still don’t feel great about sharing your information or making a purchase, you can double-check it using a site checker. A website safety checker like Google’s Safe Browsing site status page will let you know if a website is unsafe or if a previously trustworthy site has been compromised or has unsafe elements. Our suite of security features can help cryptopia estimates 9% of total assets stolen during january hack you protect your info, money and give you peace of mind.

Data submitted here is shared with security companies (terms of use). Be cautious if you run into multiple generic reviews that are unusually positive and lack accurate descriptions of the product experience. Alternatively, use the Wayback Machine to see archived versions of the website and determine if it’s been used for multiple purposes.

Don’t fall for this trick — it only takes a moment to verify a link is safe. VPNs reroute all your traffic through private servers, masking your IP address and enhancing your online privacy. They have a multitude of other benefits too, and there are lots of options – so check out our in-depth provider analysis to see what the best VPNs for 2024 are. If you’ve accidentally clicked a scam link, there are two golden rules. First, don’t enter any details into the website and close it as quickly as possible. Some scammers will take over domains that are only one or two letters different to a popular website thousands of people will likely be trying to reach on a daily basis.