Published 16 June 2026 · Home Users · by the 365 Techies team — Microsoft Partners & Dell specialists, looking after Dorset since 1995
Scam websites are designed to look real and rush you into typing card details or passwords. A few quick checks protect you — and the biggest one surprises people.
The padlock myth
That little padlock in the address bar only means the connection is encrypted — it does not mean the site is genuine. Scammers use padlocks too. Instead, read the web address itself carefully: look for slight misspellings, odd extra words, or the wrong ending (for example a well-known shop’s name with a strange address after it).
The other warning signs
Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, pressure to ‘buy now’, poor spelling, no proper contact details, and requests to pay by bank transfer rather than card. When in doubt, do not click the link in a message — type the address yourself, or search for the company and read independent reviews first. Our Spot the Scam quiz is great practice.
Key points
- Read the web address carefully for odd spellings or endings
- Remember a padlock does not mean a site is genuine
- Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true
- Watch for poor spelling, pressure and missing contact details
- Type addresses yourself rather than clicking links in messages
- Pay by card for protection, never by bank transfer to a stranger
- If unsure, search for the company and reviews separately
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