How to Identify Fake Websites & Online Scams

Online frauds are increasing rapidly, and scammers are creating fake websites that look exactly like real ones. These websites steal your personal information, bank details, passwords, and even money.
To protect yourself, you must learn how to identify fake websites and online scams.

1. Check the Website URL Carefully

Fake websites often use URLs that look similar to real websites.

Signs of Fake URLs

  • Spelling mistakes
    • Example: www.amaz0n-offer.com instead of www.amazon.in
  • Using extra words
    • Example: www.bankofindia-secure-login.xyz
  • Using unusual domain extensions
    • Example: .xyz, .top, .cyou for banking/official sites

Example

A scam website for SBI might appear as:
www.sbionline-loginsecure.com (FAKE)
The real website is:
www.onlinesbi.com (REAL)

2. Check HTTPS (SSL Certificate)

A secure website always uses HTTPS instead of HTTP.

✔ HTTPS = Secure
✘ HTTP = Not Secure

But remember: HTTPS alone does NOT guarantee authenticity, because scammers can purchase SSL certificates too.

Example

  • Real: https://www.icicibank.com
  • Fake: http://icici-safe-login.biz

3. Look for Poor Grammar, Spelling & Design

Fake websites usually have:

  • Poor English
  • Cheap layout
  • Misaligned or blurry images
  • Wrong spacing, broken pages

Example

A fake shopping site may show:

  • “Buy orignal products 90% off on festival! Hurry limited stok.”

No big brands make such mistakes.

4. Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers

Scam websites attract users with unrealistic offers such as:

  • 80–95% discount on iPhones, laptops, branded items
  • “Free giveaway”, “Free mobile”, “Free gift card”
  • “Pay ₹1 and win iPhone 15”

Example

A fake website shows all products at Flat ₹499 — this is a clear scam.

5. Check the About Us & Contact Details

Real websites give:

  • Company address
  • Customer support number
  • Email ID
  • Social media pages

Fake websites usually have:

  • Fake address (not searchable on Google Maps)
  • Gmail IDs instead of business emails
  • No customer care number
  • Contact page showing only a form

Example

Real:
support@tata.com
Fake:
tatasupport123@gmail.com

6. Look for Customer Reviews

Check:

  • Google reviews
  • Trustpilot
  • Social media comments

Fake websites usually have:

  • No reviews
  • Only 5-star reviews
  • Fake reviews written by bots

Example

A website says:
“Very good product received! Fast delivery!”
Repeated many times → fake.

7. Verify Website Age

Scam websites are newly created.
Use tools like:

  • who.is
  • ICANN lookup

If a shopping website is only 2 months old, it is suspicious.

Example

A website selling “premium laptops at ₹999” but domain age = 15 days old → scam.

8. No Return Policy / Fake Policies

Fake websites hide:

  • Refund policy
  • Return policy
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms & conditions

Real businesses always provide full documentation.

Example

A scam site shows:
“Return not available for any product.”

9. Unusual Payment Options

Fake websites force:

  • UPI-only
  • Wallet-only
  • No Cash on Delivery
  • Direct bank transfer

Real websites offer:

  • Debit/Credit card
  • COD
  • Secure payment gateways

Example

A site selling expensive products but accepts only UPI → scam.

10. Fake Social Media Icons

Fake websites show social media icons that:

  • Do not open
  • Redirect to different pages
  • Redirect to the homepage only

Real websites link to real profiles.

11. Pop-up Alerts & Fake Security Badges

Fake websites show:

  • “You won a prize!”
  • “Your device has a virus!”
  • “You have 1 unread message!”

Fake security images like:

  • “McAfee Secure” (without link)
  • “Verified by Visa” (fake logo)

12. Search the Website Name Online

Type the website name on Google like:
“XYZ shopping site scam?”

You may find:

  • Scam reports
  • Complaints
  • Fraud reviews

Examples of Common Online Scams

1. Fake Shopping Websites

Scammers create sites selling:

  • iPhones for ₹5,000
  • Shoes for ₹299
  • Laptops for ₹999

You pay → product never delivered.

2. Fake Bank Websites (Phishing)

Fake bank login pages steal:

  • Username
  • Password
  • OTP

Example:
https://hdfcnetbanking-loginsecure.com (fake)

3. Fake Job Websites

They offer:

  • Work-from-home
  • Data entry
  • Airline jobs

Then ask for:

  • Registration fees
  • Training charges

4. Fake Government Websites

Scammers create fake websites for:

  • PAN card
  • Aadhar update
  • Passport application
  • Scholarship

They charge high fees or steal data.

Example fake domain:
aadhar-update-help.in

How to Stay Safe Online

✔ Use official mobile apps instead of websites
✔ Type URLs manually, don’t click unknown links
✔ Avoid sharing OTP, CVV, passwords
✔ Use antivirus and enable safe browsing
✔ Pay via trusted payment gateways only
✔ Avoid “too good to be true” offers
✔ Check reviews before purchasing
✔ Do not upload documents to unknown websites

Conclusion

Fake websites and online scams look real but contain many hidden red flags. With careful checking of the URL, website design, payment methods, reviews, and policies, you can easily identify fake websites and protect your money and data.
Always remember —
If an offer looks too good to be true, it is probably a scam.