Fake websites are the engine of phishing, shopping scams, and credential theft. They can look pixel-perfect — but they always leave traces. Here's what to check.
1. Lookalike Domain Names
`amaz0n-deals.com` is not Amazon. Check the domain character by character: swapped letters (`rn` for `m`), extra words (`paypal-secure-login.com`), wrong endings (`.net` instead of `.com`). When in doubt, type the official address yourself.
2. No HTTPS — or Misleading HTTPS
The padlock means the connection is encrypted, not that the site is legitimate — scammers get free certificates too. But a login or checkout page *without* HTTPS is an instant red flag.
3. Too-Good-To-Be-True Prices
A brand-new iPhone at 70% off isn't a deal; it's bait. Scam stores lure you with impossible discounts, take payment, and vanish.
4. Missing Contact Information
Legitimate businesses list a real address, phone number, and support email. A site with only a contact form — or nothing at all — is hiding.
5. Copied or Stolen Content
Patchy "About us" text, stock photos as "team members," grammar errors, and pages that all say the same thing suggest a site thrown up in an afternoon.
6. Pressure Tactics
Countdown timers, "only 1 left!", pop-ups screaming about limited stock — urgency is a manipulation tool, not a sales strategy.
7. Strange Payment Methods
Wire transfers, gift cards, or crypto-only payments are irreversible — exactly why scammers love them. Legitimate stores offer credit cards and buyer protection.
8. No Reviews — or Only Perfect Ones
Search "[site name] + scam" or "[site name] + reviews." Zero footprint for an "established" store is suspicious; so is a flood of identical five-star reviews posted the same week.
9. Check the Domain Age
Use a WHOIS lookup: a "trusted electronics retailer since 2010" whose domain was registered last month is lying.
What To Do If You Already Paid
Contact your bank or card provider immediately — chargebacks exist for this. If you entered passwords, change them (starting with email) and enable 2FA. Report the site to Google Safe Browsing and your country's cybercrime unit.
The 10-Second Habit
Before entering payment details anywhere new: glance at the domain, look for real contact info, and search for reviews. Ten seconds that save you from nearly every fake store.
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