Shopping or applying for products online is fast and convenient, but it can also carry risks. Fake websites often look professional and can trick you into giving away personal details or even your money.
Whether you are buying clothes, ordering supplements, or applying for credit, it is important to make sure the website you are using is safe. There are clear steps you can take to protect yourself and avoid scams.
Check For Registers And Licenses
If the website sells financial products such as credit, loans, or investments, the first thing to check is whether it is licensed. In the UK, financial firms must be listed on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register. This is a public list that shows which firms are approved to operate. If a site claims to offer loans or credit but is not on the FCA register, you should avoid it.
With reference to an example from The One Stop Money Shop, their FCA license number is clearly presented through the website, including the footer and terms and conditions and is cross-referenced on the FCA Register.
In Spain, financial services must be approved by the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV). If a site is offering financial products without being listed with CNMV, that is also a red flag. For non-financial purchases such as clothes or supplements, you will not see the same registers, but you should still look for proof that the company is legally registered as a business.
Look For Real Assets And Contact Details
A safe and trustworthy website will always have clear contact details. This should include a phone number, a real address, and staff you can contact. If you are not sure, call the number and see how the call is handled.
For Spanish-leader SuperDinero, they have a very clear disclaimer on their footer stating how they operate and treat customers. Their about us page and articles show real authors, which are connected to verified Linkedin accounts and their phone number is available to speak to customers.
A real business will answer professionally and be able to give clear information about their services. Check the address using a map search to confirm that it is real and linked to the business. Many scams use vague contact pages with only an email address. Having people you can talk to, as well as a physical location, makes a big difference in proving a site is genuine.
Look For Real Reviews
Reviews are another key sign. A safe site will have feedback on platforms like Trustpilot, social media, or online forums. Real reviews often show a mix of positive and negative points. If every review is perfect and written in the same style, that can be a sign of fake feedback.
Look for reviews that mention details of the service or product, since these are harder to fake. Research shows that 79% of shoppers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, but only when they appear genuine. Take the time to check more than one source to see a full picture of how the business operates.
Watch How Far You Go Without Sharing Bank Details
Another way to check if a site is safe is to see how far you can go without giving away bank information.
A good website will let you browse products, check delivery options, and even set up an account before asking for payment. If you are applying for credit, the site may ask for personal details to check your eligibility, but this should be explained clearly.
Be careful if a site asks for your card number or bank details too early in the process. A report found that more than 60% of online scams involve early requests for financial details before the service is even provided. Safe sites usually explain why your details are needed and give you a secure page for payment.
Other Safety Signs To Look For
Check that the site address starts with “https” rather than just “http.” The “s” stands for secure and means the site is using encryption to protect your data.
Most browsers show a padlock symbol next to the web address for secure sites. While this alone does not prove a site is safe, it is a basic requirement. Also, look for signs of professionalism in the website design. Poor spelling, broken links, or low-quality images may show that the site is not genuine.
When using websites for shopping or financial products, safety should always come first. Check that financial firms are on the right registers such as the FCA in the UK or the CNMV in Spain. Look for real assets like phone numbers, addresses, and people you can contact.
Read reviews on Trustpilot, social media, and forums to see honest feedback. Notice how far you can go without giving away bank details, and be careful with any site that asks for payment too soon. By following these steps, you can shop and apply online with more confidence and reduce the risk of falling into a scam.