Person shopping online on a laptop while holding a bank card

How to Check If a Website Is Safe Before You Buy (UK Guide 2026)

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Category: TechnologyLast updated: November 20267 min read

Quick answer: Before you pay on a website, check the web address carefully, look for real contact details, read independent reviews, and pay by credit card or PayPal rather than bank transfer. If a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is.

Fake shops and copycat websites look more convincing every year. Many copy the logo, photos and even the layout of real brands. This Laaster guide shows simple checks anyone can do in two minutes, plus a free checklist that gives a website a safety score before you buy.

What Makes a Website “Unsafe”?

An unsafe website is one that tries to take your money or personal details without giving you what it promises. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre says most scams rely on pressure and fake trust signs.

  • Fake shops: take payment and never send the item.
  • Copycat sites: imitate a real brand with a slightly different address.
  • Phishing pages: ask you to “log in” to steal your password.
  • Subscription traps: hide monthly charges in small print.
Example 1Sarah found trainers for 70% off on a site called “nikestore-outlet-uk.shop”. The photos looked real, but the site had no phone number, the company address was a house in another country, and the only payment option was bank transfer. She closed the page and bought from the official shop instead.

Safe vs Risky Signs

Check Safer sign Risky sign
Web address Exact brand name, normal ending (.co.uk, .com) Extra words, odd endings, spelling mistakes
Prices Close to other shops Huge discounts on every item
Contact UK address, phone, company number Only a contact form or email
Payment Card, PayPal, Apple Pay Bank transfer, crypto or gift cards only
Reviews Mixed reviews on independent sites No reviews, or only perfect ones on the site
Hook pointA padlock in the address bar does not mean a site is honest. It only means the connection is encrypted. Scam sites have padlocks too.

How to Check a Website in 2 Minutes

1. Read the address slowly

Look for extra words, hyphens or swapped letters such as “amaz0n” or “paypa1”.

2. Search the site name plus “reviews”

Check independent review sites and forums, not just reviews on the shop itself.

3. Look for real company details

UK businesses should show a registered address. You can look up a company number on Companies House.

4. Check the payment options

Credit cards and PayPal give you a way to get money back. Bank transfers usually do not.

Person sitting with a laptop and a payment card
Photo: Unsplash
Example 2James was about to renew his TV licence through a link in a text message. The page looked official, but the address ended in “.info” and asked for his full card details plus his mother’s maiden name. He went straight to the official site by typing the address himself and found nothing was due.

Free Website Safety Checklist

Tick every statement that is true for the website you are checking. You get a safety score and advice straight away. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

Is This Website Safe? Checklist

Tick what is true for the site.

Common Website Scams in the UK

  • Delivery fee texts: “Your parcel is waiting, pay £1.99.”
  • Fake government sites: charging extra for passports, licences or tax refunds.
  • Holiday and ticket scams: cheap flights or sold-out concert tickets.
  • Social media shops: adverts for branded goods at impossible prices.
Laaster TipSave the official websites you use often (bank, energy supplier, council, delivery companies) as bookmarks. Then you never need to click a link in a text or email to reach them.

Who Should Use These Checks?

  • Online shoppers: especially during Black Friday and Christmas sales.
  • Parents and grandparents: who may be targeted by delivery and bank texts.
  • Small businesses: buying supplies from new suppliers.
  • Students: looking for cheap tech, tickets or rentals.

What to Do If You Already Paid

  • Call your bank using the number on the back of your card.
  • Change any password you entered on the site.
  • Report it to Action Fraud (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Police Scotland on 101.
  • Forward scam texts to 7726 for free.
Person typing on a laptop at a table
Photo: Unsplash
Try this todayOpen the last online shop you bought from that you had never used before. Run it through the checklist above. It takes one minute and builds a habit that protects you every time.

How to Get Started

  1. Bookmark the official sites you use most.
  2. Never pay by bank transfer to a shop you do not know.
  3. Search the shop name with “reviews” before buying.
  4. Use the checklist on any new website.
  5. Turn on two-step verification for email and banking.
  6. Tell family members about delivery-fee and bank-text scams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a padlock mean a website is safe?

No. The padlock only shows the connection is encrypted. Scam sites can have one too.

Is it safe to buy from a new website?

It can be, if it has real contact details, independent reviews and safe payment options.

Why is paying by credit card safer?

UK credit card purchases between £100 and £30,000 have Section 75 protection, and most cards offer chargeback.

How can I check who owns a website?

Look for a company number and check it on Companies House. A WHOIS lookup can also show when the domain was registered.

What if a site was created only weeks ago?

Very new domains selling big brands at huge discounts are a common warning sign.

Where do I report a fake website?

You can report suspicious websites to the NCSC at report@phishing.gov.uk.

Final Thoughts

  • Check the address, contact details and payment options.
  • A padlock does not prove a site is honest.
  • Card or PayPal gives you a way to get money back.

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