Sinister website clue reveals you’re about to have your bank emptied – 7 checks everyone must make
ONLINE shoppers are being warned to watch out for seven sinister signs that a website is dangerous.
Scammers often set up fake websites in order to steal your money – or enough info to sell on or defraud you with.
Now cyber-experts at Keeper Security have revealed the key signs that something sinister is going on with the website you’re shopping at.
Knowing the “red flags” is the first step to staying safe from online crooks.
One of the biggest clues of all is something strange going on with the website address.
Typically if you navigate directly to a website – let’s say, by typing in amazon.com to reach Amazon – then you won’t have any issues.
But if you follow a link to a website, there’s every chance you could be caught out.
“If you see a link that looks like one from an established retailer, check to see if there are any spelling errors in the URL such as the substitution of letters with numbers,” Keeper Security’s Tim Tran explained.
“You should also check the URL before actually clicking on it.”
You can usually check a URL by hovering over it with your mouse.
If you’re on mobile, you should be able to copy the link by holding down on it – then simply paste the URL into a notes app to see if it looks right.
Make sure that the website you’re visiting is authentic before handing over any info or money.
There are six other clues to look out for:
- An offer on the page seems too good to be true
- You’re being asked for unnecessary info, like your Social Security number, to complete a transaction
- The payment methods listed are unusual – maybe it’s asking for Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, or a wire transfer
- Reviews for the website are poor – Google it first to see if anyone has complained about it
- There are errors or discrepancies on the website. Watch out for blurry images, stock photos, poor design, or spelling errors
- Lack of info about the company. If you can’t find out much about who you’re buying from, consider shopping elsewhere
By watching out for these dangerous signs, you should be able to avoid falling for some of the most dangerous online shopping scams.
Other ways to stay safe
Knowing how to spot a dodgy website is one thing – but it’s not the only way to stay safe.
For a start, it’s generally best to avoid clicking on suspicious links.
If someone has sent you an unsolicited link that makes big promises or strange threats, it’s possible you’re being scammed.
It’s best to simply navigate to official websites yourself and then manually verify any claims sent over email or text.
Don’t just blindly follow links sent to you: it’s extremely dangerous.
Similarly, you should do your best to stick to well-known websites.
If you shop at reputable brands like Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy, you’re far less likely to get scammed – and you’ll find it easier to take action if something does go wrong.
And if you do think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank to make sure the crooks can’t raid your accounts using stolen details.
Additionally, change your passwords if you think you’ve signed in to a fraudulent website.