I’m pretty sure you have already heard of fake websites that have misleading, exaggerated, or even inaccurate information. Some even intend to steal your personal and bank details! Encountering fake websites may cause so much stress to Amazon sellers or VAs when sourcing and buying items. So before you fall for a fake or fraud website, I’ve put together some tips for you to check whether a website is legit or fake.
1. Check the name and content of the site.
Some fake websites tweak the names or spellings of more popular ones in order to lure readers. This is especially true for news websites like The Guardian which has a fake counterpart that’s spelled “The Guard1an”. The font used is also similar so for readers who are not so keen, it’s easy to miss this part. Also check the content of the site if there are grammatical errors. If you spot these errors, leave immediately!
2. Look for the About Us or Who We Are section.
All legit websites should have at least the real names, e-mail addresses, contact details, trading address, and/or photos of the person or team running it. This assures readers or users that the website is run by actual people who have nothing to hide. If you don’t see this, then better think twice if you’re going to believe the information it gives you.
3. Check who owns the site and how long the domain has been active.
With a few clicks, you can check who owns a website to verify and how long that domain has been registered. Try using WHOis – just key in the domain of a suspicious site and a whole lot of information about the site’s registration shows up. If the domain is recently registered then it could be a fake site.
4. Check the website’s social media.
Another tip to verify a site is to check their social media. There’s nothing you can hide on the Internet. Look up the website on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. By checking the posts, likes, shares, engagements, comments, and photos, you’ll easily know if the website is legit. If the site has no social media, it might be a fraud. If it has but inactive, less than a hundred likes, no photos, etc., it might be a fraud as well. Try messaging the social media of the site to know if someone’s going to respond to you on time.
5. Search for the information on another site.
If the site is verified but you’re unsure whether the products or services are good or not, just Google for product reviews. You can check Trustpilot or Facebook to read comments of both satisfied and angry customers/clients. There’s no better way to know if a product or company delivers its promises than hear from other users.
Try practicing these tips the next time you search for information or products on a suspicious website. It’s very important to be sure because it’s your money and reputation on the line when you encounter and fall for fraud websites.