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How to Recognize a Fake Website
It seems like every day criminals are finding new ways to use the internet to steal data and commit fraud. HarborOne is committed to keeping you up-to-date on all the latest scams so you can feel safer in cyberspace.
Learning to spot a fake website is vital to protect yourself online. A fake or scam website may look like a legitimate website but is designed to take advantage of users in order to commit fraud or identity theft. You may be sent a link to one of these sites from an email, text, or direct message.
We've put together a few tips on how to spot a website that isn't what it seems.
Spotting a Scam:
- A misspelled website name. There may be a minor difference such as harborone.org instead of harborone.com.
- Look for the lock. Is there a padlock icon next to the website name? That indicates that a site may be safer because it encrypts user data.
- Does the website have contact information and privacy policies? Reputable companies clearly tell you their policies and how to get in touch.
- Is an offer too good to be true? The old adage is right—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Scammers may run online ads or get their websites to show up in online searches. Use the tips above and be cautious when clicking on search results and ads.
Don't Fall for a Spoof Attack!
Texts, websites, emails, phone calls, and social media can all be spoofed. Take these steps to help protect yourself.
Holidays such as Valentine's Day are the perfect time for romance scammers to strike.
