How to Find Out If a Website Is Legal & Not a Fraud?

Fraudulent websites may be designed to steal your identity.

There are many different types of fraudulent websites that aren't actually legal to operate. Some of these sites are designed to steal your identity, and some are fraudulent online shops or fake charities. Others are online shops that are selling illegal products, such as pirate videos and software. To protect your identity and your money and to avoid participating in illegal activities, you need to be prepared to spot these illegal and fraudulent websites before entering any information or navigating through the pages of the website.

Instructions

1. Install the latest version of your web browser. The latest versions of Internet Explorer and Firefox, for example, can detect a fraudulent website and stop you from ever entering it.

2. Look for contact information on the website. If you suspect it might be an illegal site, send an email or make a phone call to the number provided to make sure it's a real company.

3. Check the URL for the website. Fake websites often have odd web addresses that include random or misplaced words or just numbers. The link may also start in a peculiar or unfamiliar way that's different from the common "http" or "https."

4. Double-check the URL of a familiar site after you type it in. Some viruses will cause your computer to take you to a fake site after you type in a real address. When this happens, there will be a subtle change in the web address. Make sure what you typed in is what you see after the site is loaded.

References

• GetSafeOnline.org: Avoid Criminal Websites