Is This Website Legit? How to Check Before You Buy

Found a website selling exactly what you want at a price that seems almost too good? Before you hand over your card details, take two minutes to run through these checks. It could save you hundreds.

Dodgy websites are everywhere — they copy real brand logos, use professional photos, and look completely legitimate. The difference is in the details.

Quick Verdict

Red Flags to Look For

• Prices 70-90% off — If it looks too good to be true, it is. Real retailers don't slash prices that dramatically.
• No physical address or phone number — Legitimate businesses list contact details. A contact form only is suspicious.
• Generic email addresses — support@gmail.com instead of support@businessname.com.au
• Payment only via bank transfer or crypto — Legit stores accept cards and PayPal because they offer buyer protection.
• Newly registered domain — Check via whois.domaintools.com. If the site claims "established 2010" but domain registered last month, run.
• Missing or copied policies — Fake sites either have no returns policy or copy-paste generic text with wrong company names.
• No social media presence — Or accounts with zero engagement and stock photos.
• Poor grammar and odd phrasing — Professional retailers proofread their content.

Realistic Examples

What to Do Next

1. Google the site name + "scam" or "review" — Other victims often post warnings.
2. Check the domain age — Use whois.domaintools.com to see when it was registered.
3. Look for the padlock — HTTPS is good, but it doesn't guarantee legitimacy. Scammers use SSL too.
4. Search for the company on ABN Lookup — abr.business.gov.au shows registered Australian businesses.
5. Use our checker — Paste the URL and we'll flag known red flags instantly.

If You Already Paid

Frequently Asked Questions