Check the domain age
Legitimate businesses have been online for years. If a website is asking for sensitive information but was registered in the last few months, be very cautious. Use WebsiteAge to see this instantly as you browse.
Before entering your card details or personal information, run through this checklist.
Install the free Chrome extension (WebsiteAge) →Online fraud is growing. Fake shops, cloned bank websites, and phishing pages are increasingly sophisticated. They use HTTPS, professional designs, and stolen branding to appear trustworthy. A quick legitimacy check before you engage can save you from significant harm.
Legitimate businesses have been online for years. If a website is asking for sensitive information but was registered in the last few months, be very cautious. Use WebsiteAge to see this instantly as you browse.
Look for subtle misspellings like "paypa1.com", "amazon-support.net", or "bankofamerica-secure.com". Scammers register lookalike domains to trick you.
HTTPS is necessary but not sufficient. It means your connection is encrypted, not that the site is trustworthy. Always combine this check with others.
A legitimate business will have a real physical address, phone number, and support email. Search for the company independently and do not rely on links on the site itself.
Search "[website name] reviews" or "[website name] scam" in Google. Check Trustpilot, Reddit, and consumer protection forums.
Fake sites often have no privacy policy, a generic template, or one that does not match the business. Legitimate sites have detailed, consistent legal pages.
The fastest check: Domain age. If a site is new and asking for your money or data, stop and investigate further.
You can look up any domain on PhDAPI's domain search, or install the WebsiteAge Chrome extension to see domain age automatically on every website you visit, with no extra steps required.
Free Chrome extension. Works on every site. No account needed.
Install the free Chrome extension (WebsiteAge)