How to spot a dodgy website?

How to Spot a Dodgy Website

Not all websites are created equal—and spotting a suspicious one could save you from scams, data theft, or losing money. One of the first things to check is security, especially on payment pages. Look for a padlock symbol in the address bar and make sure the URL starts with https://—that little "s" stands for secure. If it’s missing, your personal or payment data could be sent in plain text, leaving it vulnerable.

Another red flag is a lack of basic company information. Trustworthy businesses make it easy to find out who they are. If the “About Us” or “Contact Us” pages are missing, vague, or contain only placeholder text, be cautious. There should be a physical address, customer service email or phone number, and ideally, some background on the company’s mission or team.

Also, check for clear policies. Legit sites will have a visible returns policy, a privacy policy, and full terms and conditions. If you can’t find any of these, it’s a strong sign the site isn’t operating in good faith. No returns policy? That could mean you’re stuck with faulty or fake products. No privacy policy? They might be doing who-knows-what with your data.

Trust your gut. If the deal seems too good to be true, or the site feels off—clunky design, broken links, poor grammar—it’s better to walk away. The internet is full of great services, but dodgy sites are still out there, counting on people to rush in without checking. A few seconds of scrutiny can save you hours of hassle.