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CodingAsik.com - general informational blog about website legitimacy.

Think a website might be fake? Here's how to tell—fast, smart, and without getting scammed.

Scam sites are slicker than ever. Some look like real stores, others impersonate trusted brands, and a few just want your data. Whether you're shopping, researching, or logging in, here's how to figure out if a site’s legit—or if it's playing you.

Start with the URL. Always.

Fake websites often mess with the domain name just enough to trick you. Instead of amazon.com, you’ll get amaz0n.shop or amzon-store.net. One digit, a dash, or a sketchy top-level domain like .xyz can be a giveaway.

Even legit-looking sites can be shady if they’re brand-new. Check how old the domain is. If it was registered last week, and it’s trying to sell you a PS5 for $199, it’s probably trash.

You can look this stuff up on WHOIS lookup tools or run it through URLVoid. Those tools show when the site was created and what other sites live on the same server. If it's surrounded by spammy domains, that’s a sign.

Use scam-detection tools, but don’t trust them blindly

ScamAdviser, URLVoid, and Google’s Safe Browsing site status are great. ScamAdviser checks 40+ factors—like traffic, SSL usage, hosting country, and reviews—and gives a score. If it’s green, that’s a good sign. But don’t relax just yet.

A decent ScamAdviser score doesn’t mean the site isn’t sketchy. Scammers know how to boost those ratings, especially for short-term scams.

URLVoid runs the domain through dozens of blacklists. If it shows up on even one, that’s worth digging into. A clean scan doesn’t mean it’s safe—just not yet flagged.

These tools give clues. They don't give green lights.

HTTPS and the padlock are just the start

Most people still think the padlock in the browser means "safe." That’s outdated thinking. All it really means is the site uses encryption—basically, your data is scrambled when it moves between you and the server.

But here’s the problem: scammers use HTTPS now too. It’s easy and cheap. A fake Gucci outlet can have a shiny padlock and a valid certificate. What matters more is what kind of certificate it is.

Higher-end legit sites use OV (Organization Validated) or EV (Extended Validation) certificates. That means the certificate authority verified the company. Most scam sites just grab a basic DV (Domain Validation) cert and call it a day.

Look at the content like a human, not a bot

Legit sites usually invest in their copy. Scam sites rarely do. Look for typos, weird formatting, or broken English. Pay attention to image quality. Scam stores often have pixelated logos or low-res product photos copied from real shops.

Also, if the About Us page says something like “we are the best online store for you shop here now trust us,” close the tab.

And don’t stop at how it looks. Try the contact options. Does the email bounce? Is the phone number real? Google the address. If it's a parking lot in Belarus but the site says it's based in California, that’s a lie.

Real reviews are gold. Fake ones are easy to spot.

Search the brand or domain on Reddit, Trustpilot, or even just Google. See what people are saying. Look for patterns.

If every review says the same thing and uses similar phrasing, that’s not coincidence—it’s copy-paste. Scam shops flood review sites with fake 5-stars. Legit reviews talk about shipping times, packaging, customer service—specifics.

Also, if a site has only positive reviews or only 1-star reviews, that’s weird. Real businesses have mixed feedback.

Bonus move: reverse image search product photos or profile pictures on review pages. If you find them on other random websites, those aren’t real customers.

Payment options tell you a lot

Legit sites give you options—credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, maybe Klarna or something similar. Scammers? Not so much.

Sketchy sites often push you toward wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Anything irreversible. Once your money’s gone, it’s gone.

And be suspicious of “too good to be true” prices. A brand-new MacBook for $300? A designer coat at 90% off? These sites know people love deals. They bait you in, then ghost you after payment.

Technical signals most people ignore (but shouldn’t)

Check where the website is hosted. ScamAdviser and URLVoid usually show you the server location. If the site says it’s US-based but the server’s in a data center in Moldova—look harder.

Shared hosting is another clue. If the domain shares an IP with hundreds of other sketchy sites, that’s not great. Scam operations buy cheap hosting in bulk.

Also, hover over links before clicking them. Check where they actually go. On a real site, a “Shop Now” button leads to a real product page. On a scam site, it might redirect you to a totally different domain.

Look at the little stuff. It adds up.

  • Broken links? Lazy scammer.

  • No privacy policy? Red flag.

  • No returns page or customer service info? They don’t want you reaching out.

  • Trust badges (like Norton or McAfee) that don’t actually click to anything? That’s fake security.

A real business makes it easy to trust them. Scammers try to look trustworthy but can’t keep up the act once you dig into the details.

Holiday scams are a whole different beast

Scam sites go wild during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday shopping season. Fake ads, fake stores, fake discounts. These scams are fast-moving and sometimes only stay online for a few days.

If a site you've never heard of is advertising insane deals on big-ticket items during a sales rush, slow down. Search the brand + “scam.” See what comes up. A lot of times, people are already talking about it.

Also watch out for “limited time” pressure tactics. Countdown timers, fake stock alerts, popups saying “5 people just bought this.” Those tricks are straight from the scammer’s playbook.

If you’re still unsure, walk away

Gut feeling matters. If something feels off, it usually is. Maybe the product is real, but the return policy is garbage. Or maybe they’ll just take your money and vanish.

There are too many legit options online to take a risk on something that doesn’t pass the sniff test.

How to check a website, step by step

  1. Check the URL closely—spelling, domain type, SSL.

  2. Look up the domain age and owner info with WHOIS.

  3. Run it through ScamAdviser or URLVoid.

  4. Examine the content, layout, grammar, and contact info.

  5. Search for real reviews outside the site.

  6. Check how you’re being asked to pay.

  7. Watch for signs of rushed design or fake security.

  8. If anything feels off, stop.

Bottom line? You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to spot a fake website. You just need to slow down and know what to look for. The scammers rely on speed and impulse. Don’t give them either.