How-to guide
How to tell if a website is legit
Scam sites imitate real brands to steal logins and card details, or take your money for goods that never arrive. Before you enter a password or pay, run these checks.
Check the domain first
The web address is the biggest tell. Scammers register look-alikes that are one character off the real thing.
- Type the brand's address yourself instead of using a link from an ad, text, or DM.
- Watch for extra words, hyphens, or odd endings (brand-deals.shop, brand-outlet.top).
- Be wary of a brand name sitting on a generic or brand-new domain.
Check the trust signals
Beyond the domain, weigh these together — no single one is proof, but several together is a clear warning:
- Prices far below everywhere else, pushed with a countdown timer.
- No returns policy, no real contact details, no company address.
- Only odd payment methods (wire, crypto, gift cards) at checkout.
- A very young domain with no independent reviews.
Verify before you pay
Paste the link into Scam Doctor for a clear verdict, pay with a credit card you can dispute, and search the brand name plus "scam" or "reviews" to see what others report.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check if a website is safe?
Verify the exact domain, look for reviews and a returns/contact policy, and paste the link into Scam Doctor for an instant verdict before you pay or log in.
Is a padlock (HTTPS) enough to trust a site?
No. Scam sites can get free HTTPS certificates too. A padlock means the connection is encrypted, not that the site is honest.