How to Do a Background Check of a Website
Performing a background check on a website may be the only thing that stands between you and the latest Internet fraud scheme. You should make an effort to determine the legitimacy of the individual or company that owns and operates a website where you intend to do business, especially if you will be divulging personal and credit card information. There is no ready service that does website background checks, but there a several steps you can take find out information to protect yourself. To the degree you cannot readily locate ownership and contact information for a website, you should consider taking your business elsewhere.
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Instructions
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Go to the homepage of the Website for which you want background information. Most Websites have a page link that will provide you with information on the site's owner and operator. Typically, the page link is called "About Us." There should also be a page link with contact information that includes, at a minimum, an e-mail address, a phone number and an address for the owner's physical location.
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Use the WHOIS query protocol to locate the website owner's information which needed to be provided when the domain was registered. One of the easiest WHOIS query protocol to access is on the website of Network Solutions, although it can be found on the websites of most top domain registrars. You can search by the domain name or the IP address with the WHOIS query protocol.
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Use state Websites for public record database information on corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships, if the WHOIS search returns the Website owner as a business entity. For example, if the owner is a corporation with a California address, the California Secretary of State will have a record of the company's status. When a corporation has a "revoked" or "suspended" status, it means the corporation has failed to pay its taxes or otherwise comply with the state's corporate law--an indication the business may not be reputable.
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Search county level public records for the name of the domain's owner using the address located from the WHOIS search. Some county recorder websites and online search companies can provide information that includes judgments and liens, property ownership and address history. This information will be particularly useful in the unfortunate event you have to serve a lawsuit on the website owner.
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Use the "Check out a Business or Charity" searchable database at the website of the Better Business Bureau. You can search by URL, e-mail address or phone number. If there have been complaints filed against the website or its owners, you can find them here.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have experienced either fraud or attempted fraud via the Internet, whether through the use of websites, chat rooms or email, you can file a complaint with federal authorities online at the Internet Crime Complaint Center, also known as "IC3."
