Start with the address
Read the web address carefully. A familiar name can be hidden within a longer, unrelated address. Search results and sponsored links can also lead to a site you did not intend to visit.
A padlock is not a guarantee
An encrypted connection helps protect data in transit. It does not establish that a business or offer is genuine. Look at the wider context.
Check the details
Read contact information, returns terms and the full price. Be cautious if there is pressure to pay immediately or move a transaction away from a trusted platform.
Verify independently
Use a known bookmark, official app or established contact route. If uncertain, stop before entering private details and ask for a second opinion. An offer is not worth rushing a decision you do not understand.
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