▸ AI-Powered Website Check
Is this website a scam?
Paste any web address below. Our scanner cross-references threat databases, domain records, and federal and consumer fraud reports, then uses AI to return a risk score, the red flags it found, and what to do next.
I agree to the Hold Harmless & Terms of Use — results are informational only, not legal advice.
Free · No sign-up · Built by a former federal investigator
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How the check works
Paste the URL
Drop in the full web address of the site you are unsure about — a store, a link from a text, anything.
We scan it
The engine checks domain age and records, threat and malware databases, and federal and consumer fraud reports.
Get a verdict
You receive a risk score, the specific red flags found, positive signs, and clear recommendations.
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Red flags of a scam website
- A domain registered very recently, or a misspelled lookalike of a known brand (e.g. "amaz0n", "paypa1").
- Prices dramatically lower than anywhere else, or "today only" countdown pressure.
- Payment only by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, or bank app — methods with no buyer protection.
- No physical address, no working phone or email, or a contact page that goes nowhere.
- Reviews that appear only on the site itself, with none on independent platforms.
- Copied or low-quality images and text, broken links, or missing returns and privacy policies.
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How to tell if a website is legit
- Run the address through the checker above first.
- Search the exact site name plus the word "scam" and read what comes back.
- Confirm a real physical address and a contact method that actually works.
- Check how long the domain has existed — brand-new domains selling brand-name goods are a warning.
- Pay with a credit card where possible, so you can dispute the charge if something goes wrong.
- When in doubt, do not enter payment or personal details — walk away.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a website is a scam?
Paste the full web address into the checker above for an instant risk assessment. Beyond that, look for warning signs: a domain registered very recently, prices that are far too low, no verifiable contact details, payment only by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency, and reviews that exist only on the site itself. The more of these you see, the higher the risk.
Does a padlock (HTTPS) mean a website is safe?
No. The padlock only means traffic between you and the site is encrypted — it does not mean the owner is trustworthy. Most scam sites now use HTTPS because the certificate is free. Treat the padlock as the bare minimum, not proof of legitimacy.
What are the most common signs of a fake website?
A brand-new or lookalike domain (for example a misspelled version of a real brand), unrealistic discounts, missing or copied contact and returns policies, pressure tactics and countdown timers, payment methods with no buyer protection, and broken or stolen images and text. Any one of these is a reason to slow down.
Is it safe to buy from this website?
Only after you have verified it. Run the URL through the checker, search the site name plus the word "scam," confirm a physical address and working contact method, and prefer a credit card so you can dispute the charge. If you cannot confirm who is behind the site, do not enter payment details.
I already paid a scam website — what should I do?
Contact your bank or card issuer immediately to dispute the charge or request a chargeback; card and some bank payments can sometimes be reversed, while wire transfers and cryptocurrency rarely can. Then report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and, for online crime, the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. Save every screenshot, receipt, and message.
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