Scam DetectiveFor businesses

Online shopping safety

How to tell if an online store is legit

Before you buy, check the store itself—not just the price, reviews, or padlock icon.

Short answer: A legitimate-looking storefront can still be a scam. Verify the exact domain, independent reputation, contact details, return terms, and payment methods before paying.
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Check the exact web address

Look for misspellings, added words, unusual domain endings, or a domain that does not match the brand shown on the page. Search for the company independently instead of trusting a link from an ad, text, or email.

Verify the business elsewhere

Look for consistent contact details and recent, independent discussion of the store. On-site reviews and social follower counts can be copied or fabricated. A missing address is a warning; an address alone is not proof.

Read the payment and return terms

Be cautious when a store insists on bank transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or another payment method with weak buyer protection. Read return deadlines, fees, and the actual return address before checkout.

Before you continue

  • The domain matches the business name exactly
  • Prices are plausible rather than designed to create panic
  • Contact and return details can be independently verified
  • Checkout offers a payment method with buyer protection
  • Policies are specific, readable, and internally consistent
Check the site before you pay

A website check reviews public signals available at that moment. It is not a guarantee, legal advice, fund recovery, continuous monitoring, or a substitute for your bank's fraud support.

Still unsure about the website?

Paste its public URL for a free preliminary signal. No account or card is required. A complete $2 report is optional.

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