Every day dozens of websites are created with a single goal — to take your money and disappear. They disguise themselves as stores, delivery services, crypto exchanges and support desks. The good news: almost all of them give themselves away by the same signs, and you can spot them in a couple of minutes — before you enter your card details.
The golden rule of safe online shopping is simple: check first, pay later. Getting money back after a transfer to a scammer is nearly impossible.
Why it's worth two minutes
A scam site can look completely convincing: nice photos, brand logos, glowing "reviews". Appearance stopped being a guarantee long ago. Three things are at risk:
- Money — a prepayment for goods that never arrive.
- Card data — entered on a fake payment page, it goes straight to scammers.
- Personal data — your phone and email get reused for further attacks.
8 signs of a scam website
1. A very young domain
A serious business rarely operates from a domain registered a week ago. Domain age is a basic trust signal — and a fresh registration date for a "well-known brand" is a strong reason to doubt it. Every company page in our catalog shows the domain age in the "Security Checks" block.
2. No HTTPS or an invalid certificate
A missing padlock icon or a browser warning means data is sent unencrypted. Today almost every legitimate site uses HTTPS, so its absence on a payment page is an anomaly.
3. Prices far below the market
An 80–90% discount on a new phone is not generosity — it's bait. Compare the price across several online stores: an abnormally low price almost always means fraud.
4. Prepayment only and odd payment methods
The payment method often gives a scammer away. Be careful if a site offers:
- transfers to a private person's card;
- crypto payment with no escrow;
- paying a "manager" in a messenger;
- 100% prepayment with no pay-on-delivery option.
5. No reviews, or suspiciously identical ones
Dozens of glowing reviews written in one day in the same style is review manipulation. Real reviews vary in tone and detail. See our article "How to Write an Honest Review".
6. No contacts or company details
A reliable company does not hide its address, phone and legal name. A contact form and an empty footer is a warning sign.
7. The domain is on blacklists
There are public databases of domains already flagged for spam and fraud. We check sites against blacklists automatically and show the result in the company card.
8. Typos and sloppy layout
Scammers build sites fast and in bulk. Spelling mistakes, broken layout and dead links are an indirect but very common sign.
Tip: no single sign is a verdict. But if two or three line up — it's a pattern. Technical checks complement reviews well: together they give an objective picture.
Quick checklist before paying
- Find the site in our catalog and check its rating and reviews.
- Check the domain age and SSL certificate in the "Security Checks" block.
- Make sure the domain is not on blacklists.
- Compare prices with other stores in the same category.
- Find the company's contacts and legal details.
- Read a few recent reviews — especially about delivery and refunds.
- Choose a safe payment method, ideally pay on delivery.
If you've already sent the money
- Contact your bank immediately and try to dispute the transaction (chargeback).
- Save all evidence — screenshots, chats, receipts.
- File a police report.
- Leave a review about the site in our catalog to warn others.
One detailed review of a scam site can save hundreds of people from the same mistake. Sharing your experience is real help, not a formality.
In short
Scam sites look ever more convincing, but they're just as easy to check. Domain age, SSL, blacklists, real reviews and sane payment methods — five pillars to lean on before every purchase. Learn more in "Why Check Domain Age, SSL and Blacklists".
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