A fake shop can look polished, use a real-looking logo and even show a padlock in the browser. This lesson gives you a method you can repeat before making a purchase.
About 15–20 minutes7 illustrated teaching steps3 practice questionsPrintable notes
By the end, you'll be able to…
Use a five-point check on an unfamiliar retailer and know how to independently find its genuine website.
Before you start
You do not need to enter payment details or visit unfamiliar websites. The practice shops here are fictional demonstrations.
Take your time. Each step tells you what to do and why it helps. Illustrations are teaching examples, not exact screenshots.
1
Step 1 of 7
Start with the website address, not the logo
Look at the address bar at the top of Chrome or Safari. The address is more important than a company logo or page colours. Scammers sometimes use a lookalike name or add extra words around a well-known brand. Our fictional “BestTech Deals” page below is only a teaching example and is not a real retailer.
On iPhone
In Safari, tap the address bar to see the full domain if it is shortened.
On Samsung / Android
In Chrome, tap the address bar and inspect the complete domain name.
Why this matters
Logos and product photos are easy to copy; an address can reveal a different business.
Your turn
Identify which part of a web address is the actual domain name.
2
Step 2 of 7
Know what HTTPS does — and does not — prove
A padlock or https tells you that the connection is encrypted, but it does not guarantee the seller is genuine. A scam website can also use HTTPS. You still need to check who is selling, how they can be contacted and whether the offer makes sense.
Why this matters
Security of the connection is different from trustworthiness of the business.
Your turn
Say why “It has a padlock” is not enough evidence by itself.
3
Step 3 of 7
Inspect contact and returns information
Look for a business name, a genuine way to contact the seller, delivery information and a clear returns policy. Beware if contact details are missing, copied or impossible to verify. A professional-looking policy alone is not proof, so check independently when you are unsure.
Why this matters
Real shops can have mistakes, but several warning signs together should prompt you to leave.
Your turn
List two business details you would verify before making a first purchase.
4
Step 4 of 7
Recognise pressure and unrealistic pricing
A “90% off for the next five minutes” countdown, an unusually low price for a popular item or repeated warnings that only one product remains can be designed to rush a decision. Genuine discounts exist, but do not let a timer stop you from checking elsewhere.
● ● ●https://besttech-deals.example
FLASH SALE — 90% OFF
04:59 left to buy
Bank transfer only · No contact address
Fictional training website
Fictional example shop · This invented example is for training. It is not a real website.
Why this matters
Scammers often want buyers to act before thinking.
Your turn
Compare the fictional examples below and pick out the pressure tactics.
5
Step 5 of 7
Check the seller independently
Instead of clicking a link in an unexpected text or advert, search separately for the shop’s name. Look for established details from trustworthy sources, check the official address carefully and compare customer service information. Reviews can be faked, so focus on independent evidence rather than star ratings alone.
Why this matters
Searching separately can help you avoid a convincing imitation site.
Your turn
Write the search phrase you would use to check an unfamiliar shop.
6
Step 6 of 7
Think carefully about payment methods
A seller demanding bank transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency without suitable protections is a serious warning sign for an unfamiliar retailer. More protected payment methods may provide dispute options, subject to provider terms and applicable UK rules. Never enter card information into a page you do not trust.
Why this matters
A payment demand can reveal risk even when the shop page looks legitimate.
Your turn
Name one reason an unfamiliar seller might push you to pay outside a normal checkout.
7
Step 7 of 7
Make a decision using all five checks
Before buying, check: (1) the real domain, (2) who the seller is, (3) pricing and pressure, (4) independent evidence, and (5) payment method. If several checks fail, do not pay. Use the interactive checklist below with our fictional website.
Why this matters
The goal is to make a sound judgement, not to identify scams from one clue alone.
Your turn
Complete the checklist and say what would make you walk away.
Part 2 · Practise it
Spot the warning signs
Read the fictional shop example, select the warning signs you can spot, then check your answers. No real retailer is involved.
BestTech DealsToday only: 90% OFF! 04:59 remainingbesttech-deals.exampleBank transfer only · No contact address
Select every warning sign:
Part 3 · Check your learning
Can you make the right call?
Try these three short questions. You can check each answer and try again; there's no score to worry about.
Part 4 · Your takeaway
Three things to remember
I check the full website address, not only its logo.
I know HTTPS does not prove a retailer is genuine.
I use independent checks and avoid pressured or unusual payments.
Where these instructions came from
App menus can change; compare these guides with current official instructions on your device.
The free lessons are real lessons. The paid courses build on these skills with longer device-specific walkthroughs, more everyday scenarios, printable guides and access to extra practice tools.