Avoid Falling Victim to Scam Websites: Top Tips to Protect Yourself Online
Internet users have been warned about malicious websites that are out to steal their cash. Today, scam websites have become synonymous with surfing the web – and these websites are only getting more prevalent. Malicious websites are designed to steal visitors’ sensitive data and spread malware. Giving away any financial information on these websites is dangerous and could lead to your bank account being drained. So how can you protect yourself from falling victim to such scams?
Recognizing Scam Website Red Flags
No Padlock Icon In Your Address Bar
One of the easiest ways to know if a website is legit is by checking whether there’s a padlock icon. This will typically be located in the address bar when you visit a website. Your web browser likely has software that can confirm whether a website is trustworthy or not. So if it does not display a padlock symbol next to the URL, it could mean the website is not safe.
A Suspicious Domain Name
The next thing to check is the website’s domain name – or the name of the website in the address bar. You need to ensure that this is the real domain name of a company and not a copycat with a minor tweak. Incorrect spelling, such as “goggle” rather than “Google” is a clear indication that all is not well. Scammers often use names that could easily be mistaken for the real thing in the hopes that people won’t take any notice. Another good tip to remember is that few authentic online shopping sites use .org or .net.
Unbelievable Offers
If a website is indeed a scam, sometimes there may be a countdown clock to try to create a feeling of urgency. Scammers often try to lure their victims in with incredible offers that catch the eye. Or they might offer a massive discount of more than 50% to entice shoppers. In these scenarios, the prices are probably too good to be true, indicating it is a scam. Shop around to compare prices and see if any of the offers for the item you want on reputable websites are anywhere close to what you found on the potential scam site. If that offer is significantly lower than offers from well-known stores, there’s a high chance it’s a scam.
Unusual Payment Options
Normal payment methods include PayPal, credit cards, debit cards, and Apple or Google Pay. A clear indication of a scammer is if an online payment asks you to pay outside of these methods, that is, via a bank transfer or cryptocurrency. Remember that if you pay by bank transfer, you can’t get your money back if you’re scammed. Also, avoid paying by cryptocurrency or payment apps (e.g. Cash App, Zelle, Venmo) as there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get your money back.
Tips on How to Stay Safe
Vincent Iachetta Jr., the owner and founder of Peppermonkey Media, urges internet users to “always check online reviews and read comments on the company’s social media profile pages.” If they don’t have any social media, that’s another strong sign they aren’t legit. He also implored users to run a virus checker on the website and look for their returns policy, as scam websites often don’t have one. If you feel any doubt, I highly suggest staying safe and closing the website immediately.