We’ve all been there. You find a deal that’s almost too good to be true. A flashy website offering a designer handbag for half the price. Or a tech gadget that’s mysteriously in stock only here. But before you click “Buy Now,” there’s one big question to ask:
Is this site even safe?
That’s where a scam website checker comes in — your digital sidekick for sniffing out shady sites before they drain your wallet (and your trust in humanity).
Think of it like a lie detector for the internet. A scam website checker, also called a URL checker or website legit checker, quickly analyzes a website and tells you whether it’s likely to be safe or sketchy.
It looks at things like:
Basically, it’s doing all the digital detective work so you don’t have to.
Good news: you don’t need to be a tech genius. Using our tool is as easy as copy, paste, click.
Here’s how:
Pro tip: Not sure what the score means? Don’t worry — we break it down in plain English. No geek-speak here.
Both ScamAdviser and VirusTotal are tools designed to help you steer clear of online threats — but they’re built for slightly different missions.
VirusTotal is more like a digital microscope. It scans files and URLs using over 70 antivirus engines and blacklist databases. If you’re a cybersecurity pro or you’ve downloaded something suspicious, VirusTotal is your go-to. You can upload a file, paste a link, or even use their API to run deep scans for malware or phishing attempts. It’s powerful, technical, and widely used by researchers and security teams.
ScamAdviser, on the other hand, is your street-smart friend. It doesn’t just look for malware — it looks at the bigger picture. Who owns the site? How old is the domain? Are real people visiting it, or is it a digital ghost town? ScamAdviser’s Trust Score gives you a quick, easy-to-understand answer: Is this site likely to be a scam?
In short:
Use both together, and you’ve got yourself a solid scam-spotting combo.
ScamAdviser isn’t just a tool — it’s a global watchdog. We’re constantly improving our checker to meet local needs, partnering with trusted consumer protection organizations like DECO Proteste in Portugal and others across Europe, Asia, and Africa. That means ScamAdviser speaks your language (literally) and can flag region-specific scam trends you might not see elsewhere.
We're also working behind the scenes with cybersecurity researchers, law enforcement, and governments to shut down fraudulent sites and keep the web safer for everyone.
So when you use ScamAdviser, you're not just checking a site, you're joining a global scam-fighting network.
Sometimes your gut already knows. But if you’re unsure, here are some classic scam site giveaways:
If you’re seeing two or more of these? Time to hit the back button.
First off, deep breath. It happens.
Here’s what to do:
The bad news: Scammers are getting smarter.
The good news: So are you.
Here’s how to keep your digital self protected:
Scam spotting doesn’t stop at your desktop. The ScamAdviser app, available on both iOS and Android, puts the power of our website checker right in your pocket. Whether you’re shopping from your phone or checking a suspicious link someone texted you, you can get instant Trust Scores anytime, anywhere.
Scam protection has never been more mobile.
The internet’s a bit like the Wild West — full of great deals and digital desperados.
But with a tool like ScamAdviser’s scam website checker, you’ve got yourself a trusty lasso for catching bad guys before they strike.
Next time you wonder, “Is this site safe?”, don’t guess. Check it.
Try ScamAdviser’s Website Checker now — it’s free, fast, and just might save you from a scammy nightmare.
Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!
As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu
So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!! If you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking. If you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used. PayPal Debit card/Credit card Bank transfer Wire transfer Google Pay Bitcoin PayPal If you used PayPal, you have a strong chance of getting your money back if you were scammed. On their website, you can file a dispute within 180 calendar days of your purchase. Conditions to file a dispute: The simplest situation is that you ordered from an online store and it has not arrived. In this case this is what PayPal states: "If your order never shows up and the seller can't provide proof of shipment or delivery, you'll get a full refund. It's that simple." The scammer has sent you a completely different item. For example, you ordered a PlayStation 4, but instead received only a Playstation controller. The condition of the item was misrepresented on the product page. This could be the