Is This Website Safe? A 10-Point Checklist Before You Buy Online
Quick checks anyone can do in two minutes to avoid scam websites and shop online with confidence — in any country.
The 10-point checklist
- Check the address bar. The site should use https and the domain should be spelled correctly — scammers copy famous names with one letter changed.
- Look for real contact details. A business email, a support page and, ideally, a physical address.
- Read the refund policy. Clear rules on refunds and cancellations are a good sign; no policy at all is a red flag.
- Compare prices. If something costs far less than everywhere else, ask why.
- Search for reviews outside the site. Search the brand name plus "reviews" or "scam".
- Check how long the brand has been around. Newer is not bad, but long-running brands have a track record you can check.
- Pay with protected methods. Cards and trusted payment providers let you dispute a charge. Avoid direct bank transfers to strangers.
- Watch for pressure. Countdown timers and "only 1 left" messages are designed to stop you thinking.
- Look at the details. Broken pages, poor spelling and copied images suggest a site built in a hurry.
- Trust your instinct. If something feels wrong, wait a day.
How Lootbeez helps
Every brand on Lootbeez is reviewed before it is published. Brands with the Verified Website badge have shown that they control their website, and users can leave ratings and reviews. Paid placements are always labelled as sponsored. A listing is not a guarantee, so still use the checklist above.