How to Tell If a Website Is Fake

Jun 12

Why Fake Websites Are So Common

Scammers are smart — and they’re getting smarter. Creating a fake website takes almost no time or money. Scammers use free tools to clone real websites, copy logos and layouts, and create addresses that look just like the real thing. Their goal? Trick people into entering credit card numbers, passwords, or even Social Security numbers.

Many of these scams are part of phishing attacks. A scammer might send you an email that says your account has been locked, with a link to “log in and fix it.” But that link leads to a fake site. Or you might get a text that says “Your package couldn’t be delivered — click here to reschedule.” Again, the link leads to a copycat site that collects your data.

This is why it’s so important to slow down and double-check where you are online. A few seconds of caution can save you from a major headache.

What Does a Legitimate Website Usually Look Like?

While there’s no single rule for spotting a fake, real websites often share a few signs:

Professional design: The site looks clean and organized. Logos are clear. Text is proofread. Nothing feels rushed.
Working navigation: If you click “About Us” or “Contact,” those pages work.
Secure connection: The URL starts with “https://” and may include a padlock icon. (But be careful — even fake sites can get https now.)
Clear policies: Legitimate companies have visible return policies, privacy policies, and customer service options.

Still unsure? You can always reach out to TechPals. We can check the website with you before you share your info.

How Scammers Trick You with “Lookalike” Sites

Scammers often register website addresses that look like popular ones. These are called “typosquatting” or “spoofing” domains. They might change one letter (netfIix.com with a capital “i” instead of an “l”), add a dash (paypal-support.com), or use an unusual ending (amazon.biz instead of amazon.com).

Here are a few examples of common tricks:

Real Website Fake Lookalike amazon.com amaz0n.com netflix.com netfl1x.com paypal.com paypa1.com apple.com apple-login.net

If you’re not 100% sure, don’t click anything. Open a new tab and type the address in yourself. That small extra step keeps you safe.

What To Do If You’re Not Sure a Site Is Real

If you land on a site and something feels off, trust your instincts. Here’s a quick checklist:

Look at the URL: Is it spelled correctly? Does it use weird characters?
Check the design: Does it look polished and consistent?
Test the links: Do buttons and menus work like they should?
Think about how you got there: Was it through an email, text, or ad?

You can also try this trick: copy the main part of the website (like “amaz0n.com”) and search it in Google with the word “scam.” If others have been tricked, you might see warnings or news articles.

Still unsure? Ask TechPals. You don’t need to face online risks alone — just head to techpals.org and we’ll walk you through it.

What About Ads That Lead to Fake Sites?

Scammers can also buy ads that appear at the top of search results. For example, you might Google “renew driver’s license” and click the first link — but instead of the DMV, it’s a fake site that charges you money or steals your info.

To avoid this:

Look for “Ad” labels in search results. Be cautious before clicking.
Stick with official websites. Government sites usually end in .gov.
Scroll past the ads. Real, organic results are usually safer.

It’s confusing — even tech-savvy people fall for these tricks. That’s why TechPals exists: to make the internet a little less stressful.

Myth-Busting: Common Misunderstandings About Online Safety

There are a lot of assumptions people make about what’s “safe” online — and unfortunately, many of them are false. Scammers count on us to let our guard down. Here’s a closer look at some of the most common myths about online safety — and what’s actually true.

Myth 1: “If the site has https, it’s safe.”

Reality: While the “https” at the beginning of a website address does indicate that your connection is encrypted (which is good), it doesn’t mean the site itself is trustworthy. It just means that any data you send — like a password or credit card number — is encrypted as it travels to that website.

But scammers know people look for the little padlock icon in the address bar, so they use free or low-cost security certificates to make their fake websites look secure. In fact, many phishing websites now use https to seem more legitimate.

What to do instead: Always check the full URL. Look for misspellings, extra characters, or strange endings like “.net” instead of “.com.” And don’t rely on the padlock alone — use other signs (like poor design or unfamiliar branding) to judge if the site is legitimate.

Myth 2: “My phone is more secure than a computer.”

Reality: This is partly true — phones have built-in protections, and apps go through security checks before appearing in app stores. But phones also have unique risks. Scammers send phishing texts (called “smishing”), design malicious apps that slip through security filters, and create fake mobile versions of websites.

It’s also easy to click on something by accident on a small screen. Many people keep personal info, passwords, and even saved payment details on their phones — which makes them a tempting target.

What to do instead: Be just as cautious on your phone as you would be on a laptop or desktop. Keep your phone updated, don’t download apps from unknown sources, and avoid clicking on links in suspicious texts or messages. If you’re not sure about something, TechPals can help you take a closer look.

Myth 3: “If a friend sends me a link, it must be safe.”

Reality: Unfortunately, hackers often target email, text, or social media accounts — and once they get in, they send messages that look like they’re from someone you know. These messages often say things like “You have to see this!” or “Is this you in this video?” to make you curious and more likely to click.

Once you click, you might be taken to a fake login page, prompted to download a file, or asked to enter personal information — and just like that, you’ve been scammed.

What to do instead: If a message seems out of character for your friend — or if it’s vague, oddly worded, or just feels off — check with them first before clicking. A quick “Did you mean to send me this?” can prevent a lot of trouble. And if your own account ever gets hacked, let your contacts know right away so they don’t fall for it too.

Myth 4: “I would know if I was on a fake site.”

Reality: Many fake websites are extremely convincing. Scammers often copy the design, colors, and layout of the real website they’re imitating. They’ll use logos, official-sounding language, and even working links — but the end goal is always to get your information.

The trickiest part is that these sites don’t always look obviously “bad.” In fact, some fake websites look more professional than real ones. That’s why relying on instinct or appearance alone isn’t enough.

What to do instead: Always go directly to a company’s website by typing the address into your browser or using a search engine to find the official link. Avoid clicking links from unsolicited emails or texts. And if you ever feel unsure, TechPals is here to help — we’ll review the site with you and make sure it’s safe before you enter any information.

Myth 5: “Scams only happen to people who aren’t tech-savvy.”

Reality: Scams don’t discriminate. They affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and tech skill levels. In fact, some of the most sophisticated scams are designed to trick even experienced users. Whether it’s a fake website that mimics a brand you trust, a phishing email that looks exactly like a company alert, or a tech support scam that uses real-looking phone numbers — these attacks are meant to fool anyone.

In some cases, tech-savvy users are even more likely to trust their instincts and skip double-checking — which makes them vulnerable too.

What to do instead: Don’t assume you’re immune. Take your time when navigating online, and stay cautious even if something seems familiar. And if something doesn’t feel right, trust that feeling. Reach out to TechPals — we’re happy to be a second set of eyes, no matter your experience level.

Myth 6: “If something’s wrong, my antivirus will catch it.”

Reality: Antivirus software is helpful, but it’s not a cure-all. It’s designed to block known threats — like malware, spyware, or viruses — but it can’t always detect fake websites, phishing pages, or scams that rely on tricking you into giving up your information voluntarily.

Many scams involve no actual virus — just clever deception. That means your antivirus program won’t alert you when you land on a fake banking site or click a malicious link sent through email or social media.

What to do instead: Use antivirus as one layer of your protection, but don’t rely on it as your only defense. Your own awareness is the most important tool. And if you’re ever in doubt, TechPals is here to support you — whether you’re reviewing a suspicious link or need help setting up extra protection.

Myth 7: “I don’t have anything worth stealing.”

Reality: This is a common and dangerous misconception. Even if you don’t think you’re a target, scammers want more than just money. They can use your personal information (like your name, email, or address) to commit fraud, open accounts in your name, or target your friends and family with additional scams.

Even access to your email can be valuable — scammers use it to reset passwords for other accounts and gain access to more sensitive information.

What to do instead: Assume your personal data is valuable and protect it accordingly. Don’t share it with untrusted websites, avoid using the same password for multiple accounts, and take every scam attempt seriously. And remember — TechPals is here to help you guard your digital life.

Each of these myths comes from a place of understandable logic — but believing them can leave you open to risk. Knowing the truth helps you stay safer online.

If you’re ever unsure about a website, email, message, or anything else online, don’t go it alone. Visit techpals.org and let us know what’s going on. We’ll help you figure out what’s safe, what’s suspicious, and what to do next.

Bonus Tip: Use a Password Manager

A password manager can help protect you from fake websites. How? It only fills in your saved password on the exact website you saved it for. So if you land on netfl1x.com instead of netflix.com, your password manager won’t autofill anything — a good sign that something’s wrong.

If you’re not using one yet, TechPals can help you choose and set one up. Just visit techpals.org and let us know.

Final Thoughts: When in Doubt, Don’t Click

The internet is full of helpful, amazing tools — and unfortunately, some bad actors too. But you don’t need to feel overwhelmed. With a few simple habits, you can protect yourself and stay safe online:

Always double-check the address before entering sensitive information.
Don’t rush through pop-ups or urgent messages.
If something feels off, don’t ignore your instincts.
Use TechPals as a resource — we’re here to help, no judgment.

Whether you’re shopping, checking your email, or paying a bill, fake websites are out there — but they don’t have to trick you. TechPals exists to help you navigate these situations with confidence.

If you ever have questions about a link, a message, or a strange website, visit techpals.org. We’ll take a look with you, explain what’s going on, and help you stay one step ahead of the scammers.

Tell your friends and family too — sharing TechPals could be the thing that saves someone else from a scam. We're here whenever you need us.

Jesse Kaplan